Şebnem Akalın: First, thank you, Mr. Gürkaynak, for taking the time for us. Could you tell our readers a bit about yourself and your background in aviation?

Mehmet Gürkaynak:  Thank you for having me. I'm honoured to serve as Emirates’ Country Manager for Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria, a role I began on 1 June 2023. My aviation journey started at Turkish Airlines in 2011, where I worked as a Demand & Flight Analyst before taking on leadership roles. I’ve had the privilege of managing operations in key markets, including serving as General Manager in Algeria, Bulgaria, and Germany, with over a decade of experience in revenue management, sales, and marketing. I hold an undergraduate degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Istanbul University and an MBA in Financial Management from Johnson & Wales University in the USA. I take pride in leveraging my expertise and strong professional network to advance Emirates’ commercial initiatives in the local market and help achieve the company’s strategic goals.

 Şebnem Akalın: Emirates operates flights on the Istanbul-Dubai route with iconic aircraft. Do you have any plans in the future to use different aircraft types on this route or increase the number of flights?

Mehmet Gürkaynak: We are constantly evaluating our fleet and routes to ensure we are providing the best experience for our passengers. 

We’re currently pleased with our 21 flights per week between Dubai and Istanbul with a mix of Airbus A380 (one daily) and Boeing 777-300ER (Two daily). In addition to our two daily codeshare flights with flydubai to Sabiha. Also, very soon we’ll be welcoming the new Emirates A350 in Istanbul. This means that Turkey will be served with Emirates’ entire current fleet. 

Emirates’ A350 featuring the latest cabins will land in Istanbul for the first time to commence daily operations on EK 117/118 on 1 July. However, if aircraft are delivered ahead of schedule, Emirates will bring forward the deployment.

Şebnem Akalın: Can you tell us about Emirates' sustainability efforts in the aviation industry? What specific initiatives are you undertaking in the Turkish market in this regard?

Mehmet Gürkaynak: Sustainability is a key priority for Emirates. As one of the world’s leading airlines, our sustainability strategy focuses on three areas: reducing emissions, consuming responsibly and preserving wildlife and habitats. In line with these efforts, we are implementing the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) system, a comprehensive environmental management system that covers our flight operations, corporate activities and an illegal wildlife trade module that supports our commitment. 

We’ve also uplifted sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) where available and feasible. During the first six months of 2024-25, we uplifted SAF for the first time in Singapore, London Heathrow and Amsterdam.  

We joined the Aviation Initiative for Renewable Energy (aireg) in Germany; and signed up as industry partner of the Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA) at the University of Cambridge, contributing to the research and development of emissions reduction pathways. The AIA partnership also marked Emirates’ first activity under its US$ 200 million fund, specifically set aside to support R&D to advance sustainability solutions for aviation.

Additionally, we invest in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. Our fleet of A380s, A350s and Boeing 777s incorporate advanced technologies that reduce fuel consumption and emissions compared to older aircraft. We continuously evaluate new aircraft technologies and consider fleet renewal options to further improve efficiency. Also, we optimize flight routes, use advanced flight planning systems, and implement fuel-saving procedures during flight. These measures, combined with initiatives like reducing aircraft weight and optimizing ground operations, contribute to significant fuel savings and emission reductions.

In Turkey, we’re open to discussions with the local authorities and stakeholders around combined sustainability efforts. Although no such initiatives have taken place yet.  

 Şebnem Akalın: What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for Emirates in achieving its growth targets in Turkey?

Mehmet Gürkaynak:  Turkey is a dynamic market with enormous potential due to its strategic location and vibrant tourism sector. Our current operations are solid, offering seamless connectivity for travellers to and from Turkey using our modern aircraft fleet. We also offer an extensive global network allowing Turkish travellers to conveniently access more than 140 points via our Dubai hub. 

As in any evolving market, we face challenges such as regulatory changes and heightened competition. However, we will continue to leverage our strong brand and operational expertise to meet the growing demand for international travel. We are focused on enhancing our network, deepening our local partnerships, and continuously innovating to overcome challenges while capitalizing on the immense opportunities the Turkish market offers.

 Şebnem Akalın: Emirates is preparing to open a private lounge at Istanbul Airport. Can you give us details about this new lounge? What can you tell us about the innovative services it will offer passengers and its future role?

Mehmet Gürkaynak:  We are delighted to launch this important collaboration with IGA Istanbul Airport, one of the world's leading global transfer hubs. At Emirates, we are committed to providing our passengers with the highest standards of comfort and service, both in the air and on the ground. Designed with convenience and premium hospitality in mind, this new lounge will further elevate the travel experience for our passengers by offering them a seamless pre-flight retreat where they can unwind and refresh ahead of their flights.

Both the construction and interior design of the leased area will be carried out by IGA. The 995 m² lounge is expected to be used by 25 thousand Emirates passengers annually and will have a seating capacity of 180 people at a time. 

Additionally, guests will be offered extensive world class and international menus in the lounge, ensuring they relax in a comfortable environment before traveling. The menus will be prepared in accordance with Emirates' global culinary standards and catering services will be provided by IGA. The lounge will also feature staff who will receive special training in line with Emirates' high service standards. Operation and management processes will be carried out by IGA.

 Şebnem Akalın: Emirates is globally recognized as a leader, particularly with its Business and First-Class services. Recently, we've seen some efforts aimed at improving the experience for economy-class passengers in Turkey, such as your agreement with Havaist. Can we expect further innovations or improvements for economy-class passengers in the future?

Mehmet Gürkaynak: We began offering a complimentary transportation service between Istanbul Airport (IGA) and the city centre for our economy class passengers. Passengers who purchase an economy class ticket originating in Istanbul via emirates.com until September 2, 2025, will be able to travel for free on Havaist buses until December 31, 2025.

Our collaboration with Havaist is just one example of how we’re enhancing the customer experience by offering convenience and comfort for our Turkish travellers. 

 Şebnem Akalın: As someone who has travelled with Emirates in both Business and Economy classes, I can confidently say that Emirates is among the top airlines providing the best travel experience for its passengers. Emirates offers a comfortable and safe environment during flights. Can you tell us how you deliver this exceptional experience and consistently maintain such high quality?

Mehmet Gürkaynak: Our strategy revolves around innovation and excellence. By continually investing in our fleet, expanding our network, and enhancing the customer journey, we ensure that Emirates remains the airline of choice for millions of travellers worldwide.

Innovation plays a vital role in enhancing the customer journey. We are advancing our digital capabilities and expanding the use of biometric technology for seamless boarding and check-in processes. Additionally, ice, our inflight entertainment system, offers more than 6,500 channels of content, faster connectivity, and a highly personalized experience.

At Emirates, exceptional customer service is not just a goal; it’s part of our identity. This year, we are expanding our Premium Economy Class to more routes, following its resounding success. This class has redefined comfort, combining spacious seats with premium dining and exclusive cabin service. In Business Class, our refurbished Boeing 777s will provide an even more luxurious experience, with aisle access on every seat, enhanced privacy, and personal minibars. Our Boeing 777 Gamechanger aircraft are also equipped with unique and industry-leading inflight technology including virtual windows that offer passengers a real-time view of the skies, as well as temperature and lighting control in First Class suits. 

Emirates will continue to invest to enhance the travel experience for our customers. This could include advancements in in-flight entertainment, improvements in seating and cabin design, and new technologies that improve the efficiency and safety of the airline's aircraft.

Şebnem Akalın: Thank you for sharing such valuable insights. Lastly, do you have a message you'd like to share with our readers?

Mehmet Gürkaynak:  Emirates is committed to supporting Turkey's aviation sector and its local community through partnerships with local entities. The aviation industry plays a critical role in the economic development of countries, and partnerships between the various aviation players can lead to increased stability, innovation, and growth for communities. We look forward to continuing working closely with our partners to further support the local aviation sector and contribute to the development of the local community