Aviation Turkey: First of all, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Mr. Yiğit, could you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in the industry? What are your main goals and strategies for your tenure?

Yiğit Laçin: I was born in Ankara in 1982 and graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Adnan Menderes University. My career in aviation began in 2006 during the opening of the new terminal at Ankara Esenboğa Airport. Since then, I have worked in various positions at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, Skopje and Ohrid Airports in North Macedonia, Milas-Bodrum, Monastir in Tunisia, and Gazipaşa-Alanya airports. I currently serve as the CEO of YDA Dalaman Airport.

During this time, I completed the "Airport Management Professional Accreditation" program organized in cooperation with ICAO and the Airports Council International (ACI), earning the title of "International Airport Professional." Most recently, I successfully completed the "Global Executive Program" jointly offered by the Financial Times and IE Business School.

One of my first actions upon taking office was to define a Vision Statement for our company. As an airport operator, we needed to decide how and where we wanted to position ourselves and ensure this vision was embraced by the entire organization. We defined our vision as: "To operate a safe, secure, and sustainable airport, delivering a premium, stress-free passenger experience through innovation in the heart of the Turkish Riviera." Subsequently, we began developing and implementing strategies to support this vision.

Undoubtedly, a key priority is ensuring our passengers enjoy a unique and seamless experience. At the same time, we are focusing on methods and marketing strategies to increase operational efficiency and address seasonality. Moreover, we aim to become the first airport in the world to meet 100% of its energy needs through solar power.

Aviation Turkey: Dalaman Airport ranked as the 6th busiest airport in Turkey in 2024. How would you evaluate the year in terms of total passenger traffic and the share of international passengers?

Yiğit Laçin: In 2024, we welcomed 5.6 million passengers, a major milestone for Dalaman Airport. By 2022, we had recovered 93% of our pre-pandemic passenger volume, positioning us among Europe's fastest-recovering airports. On top of that, we achieved a further 25% increase in passenger numbers over the last two years.

Operating along a breathtaking 1,100-kilometer coastline, we primarily serve international tourists, boosting our ranking in international passenger traffic. This strong demand from abroad places us among the top airports in terms of international passenger traffic.

Aviation Turkey: Dalaman Airport is a vital hub for many domestic and international airlines. What new routes are planned for the 2025 summer season? Which airlines are adding new flights or increasing frequencies?

Yiğit Laçin:Thanks to its proximity to world-renowned tourist destinations like Dalaman, Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Dalyan, Marmaris, and Kaş, our airport continues to attract more visitors each year. The 2025 summer season began with a flight from Bristol on March 14. In April, we anticipate a busy period with Jet2.com introducing new routes from Bournemouth and Luton.

As a result of our marketing efforts, EasyJet has launched flights from its new London Southend base and plans to increase its capacity for existing routes. SunExpress has added new routes from London Stansted, Glasgow, and Newcastle while boosting capacity on UK and Germany routes.

Aeroflot and Pobeda are also set to increase Moscow flight frequencies, and we've expanded Baku services with Azerbaijan Airlines. Additionally, we are working with Pegasus Airlines to resume flights to Amman and Beirut.

Aviation Turkey: Have you observed shifts in demand among international destinations? Based on 2024 figures, which countries contributed most to the tourist influx in your region?

Yiğit Laçin: We've noted significant shifts in international travel demand in recent years, particularly post-pandemic, as traveler preferences evolved. Destinations once popular have seen reduced interest due to safety and health concerns, while regions offering natural beauty and outdoor activities have gained traction. 

In 2024, tourism surged, with the UK leading as our largest visitor group, followed by strong numbers from Russia, Germany, and the Middle East. Visitors from diverse continents and countries further underscore our region's global appeal as a hub for both beach holidays and cultural exploration.

Aviation Turkey: How has the increase in passenger traffic impacted airport infrastructure? What new investments or improvements have been made or planned?

Yiğit Laçin: Although the increased passenger traffic hasn't negatively impacted our capacity yet, we've made significant investments to support our vision of providing a stress-free and unique experience. We are also adapting to changing passenger behaviors and new travel trends.

We've made physical improvements in security and passport control points to enhance passenger comfort. Through our investments in digitalization, we aim to improve operational processes while enhancing passenger experience.

Aviation Turkey: Can you share Dalaman Airport's goals for 2025? What are your plans for capacity and traffic in the upcoming year?

Yiğit Laçin: At Dalaman Airport, we aim to be part of our guests' holiday experience during the busy summer season. With this in mind, we have fully renovated all commercial areas in our international terminal in line with new trends and passenger expectations. In 2025, we plan to expand our market diversity while prioritizing customer satisfaction.

Aviation Turkey: We know Dalaman Airport currently meets 55% of its energy needs with its rooftop Solar Power Plant (SPP). What led to the decision to build the SPP?

Yiğit Laçin: As outlined in our vision statement, implementing environmentally friendly projects for a more sustainable airport operation is among our top priorities. Therefore, we covered the roofs of our terminal building and connected the viaduct with solar panels, creating the world's largest rooftop solar power plant at an airport. Today, we meet more than half of our annual energy needs from this facility. Our goal is to supply 100% of our energy needs from solar power by the end of 2025.

Aviation Turkey: How much has the airport reduced its energy consumption through the SPP? What impact has the project had on overall energy efficiency?

Yiğit Laçin: With the SPP, we now generate more than 55% of the airport's energy needs from solar power. This has significantly reduced our dependence on external energy sources. We've also achieved a notable reduction in carbon emissions by cutting down on fossil fuel use. By analyzing data from the SPP through our energy management system, we optimized consumption patterns, contributing significantly to environmental sustainability and reducing energy costs.

Aviation Turkey: How has the SPP contributed to Dalaman Airport's environmental sustainability goals? How much carbon emissions have been prevented?

Yiğit Laçin: Our SPP generates approximately 10,230 MWh of electricity annually. This allows us to meet more than half of our energy needs from renewable sources and prevents around 4,500 tons of carbon emissions per year—the environmental equivalent of saving 200,000 trees. The SPP has been a vital and exemplary step toward achieving our sustainability goals.

Aviation Turkey: How does Dalaman Airport plan to expand solar energy use in the future?

Yiğit Laçin: Our goal is to meet 100% of our airport's energy needs through solar power by the end of 2026, setting a global precedent.

Aviation Turkey: Does the SPP project serve as a model for other airports and energy systems?

Yiğit Laçin: Yes, our SPP project serves as a benchmark not just for Dalaman Airport but also for other airports. In addition to sustainability, we aim to reduce aircraft emissions by minimizing APU usage. We are developing protocols in collaboration with airlines and ground service providers to ensure APUs are turned off when not in use. We've also transitioned all airport lighting systems into LED technology and are replacing operational vehicles with electric ones. All these steps are part of our integrated sustainability approach, setting an example for the industry.

 Aviation Turkey: Dalaman Airport aspires to become a "Green Airport." What environmental sustainability measures are required to achieve this status, and what are the main challenges?

Yiğit Laçin: Achieving Green Airport status involves meeting stringent environmental criteria, such as energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and effective water and waste management. Key challenges include integrating these standards into operational processes and ensuring all stakeholders align with our sustainability vision. Long-term planning, sustained investment, and close collaboration with regulatory bodies are critical to success.

Aviation Turkey: Finally, Mr. Yiğit, do you have any closing thoughts or a message you'd like to share with our readers?

Yiğit Laçin: At Dalaman Airport, we see ourselves as more than a transit hub—we're a vital part of our passengers' holiday experience. By delivering exceptional service and pioneering eco-friendly initiatives, we aim to remain one of Turkey's leading airports. With passenger satisfaction at our core, we are committed to advancing a sustainable, nature-aligned aviation model for the future. We wish all readers safe and pleasant journeys