The President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council, Salvatore Sciacchitano, stated that Istanbul Airport has become a major hub in the global aviation sector, describing its rapid success as “impressive.”
“Istanbul Airport has become a massive hub. You fly to many destinations through Istanbul. This is an indication of Turkey’s success in civil aviation,” said Sciacchitano, highlighting Turkey’s rise in the aviation industry.
Turkey Among the Leading Countries in Civil Aviation
Emphasizing that Turkey is among the leading countries in aviation, Sciacchitano underlined the global significance Istanbul Airport has achieved in a short time:
“I don’t think anyone in the world has achieved such success in such a short period. The connectivity provided by Turkish civil aviation is extensive, effective, and efficient. Turkey has become an aviation hub competing with global rivals.”
According to Sciacchitano, Turkey’s successful aviation model also serves as an example for other countries.
Rapid Recovery in Aviation After COVID-19
Addressing the post-COVID-19 recovery of the global civil aviation sector, Sciacchitano emphasized that the recovery has been faster than expected:
“As of 2024, passenger traffic has returned to 2019 levels, reaching 4.6 billion passengers annually. However, the number of flights is 4% lower compared to 2019, indicating that airlines have improved their operational efficiency.”
However, Sciacchitano also pointed out the staff reductions during the pandemic, warning that this could harm the industry in the long run. “Instead of reducing staff during such crises, alternative solutions need to be developed,” he said.
How Will Artificial Intelligence Impact Aviation?
Touching on the growing role of artificial intelligence in the aviation sector, Sciacchitano stated that AI is used in a limited and controlled manner.
“The aviation sector has always approached innovation cautiously and relies on reliability certification. Safety comes first. AI is used in air traffic control and navigation management, but it would be wrong to assume that it will dramatically transform the industry.”
© AeroHaber.com / Mevlüt Zor
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