Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş stated that Turkish Airlines’ (THY) position as the airline with the highest number of female pilots in the world is a great source of pride for Türkiye.
Minister Göktaş attended the Turkish Airlines Pilot Graduation Ceremony held at Aydın Çıldır Airport. In her speech, she highlighted THY’s global success and its commitment to supporting female pilots:
“Our national pride, Turkish Airlines, which flies our flag in more than 120 countries, has achieved the distinction of being the airline that flies to the most countries in the world thanks to dedicated pilots like you. THY is also a source of pride for being the airline with the highest number of female pilots globally. Through strategic programmes implemented over the past 20 years, it has increased the number of female pilots 50-fold.”
Noting that the global average rate of female pilots is around 5%, Göktaş emphasised that this figure has reached 9% in Türkiye. She underlined the key role played by the visionary approach of the THY Flight Academy, which promotes equal opportunities, in this achievement.
“So far, 180 of the 1,950 pilots who have graduated from the academy are women. Among the 560 students currently in training, 73 are female. This picture is a concrete reflection of the value placed on equal opportunities,” she said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat shared the airline’s global growth targets:
“As the airline that flies to the most countries in the world, we are preparing to add our 500th aircraft to the fleet. By 2033, we aim to expand our fleet to 813 aircraft and increase the academy’s annual graduation capacity to 600. In that centennial period, we will further strengthen our leadership in aviation with 130 flight instructors,” he said.
Following the speeches, 51 newly graduated pilots celebrated their achievements with great enthusiasm and pride by tossing their caps into the air.
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