The rapidly developing aviation sector has become one of the areas experiencing the most intense technological transformation and global competition. Türkiye continues to grow with the goal of becoming a regional hub in aviation, while also becoming more visible in the global market through new investments. We spoke with Aslıhan Bulut, Founder and CEO of Aviation Parts & Services, who has significant experience in the Turkish aviation sector, about Türkiye’s place in the global aviation industry. Noting that Türkiye has undergone rapid change over the years, Bulut said, “Türkiye is becoming an increasingly powerful player. This growth, combined with the country’s strategic geographical location and commitment to aviation investments, is placing Türkiye in a much more prominent position on the global aviation map.”

The aviation sector in Türkiye occupies a strategic position that directly impacts many areas, from transportation to tourism, trade to security. This broad ecosystem, which encompasses not only passenger transportation but also many sub-sectors such as maintenance and repair, spare parts, logistics, cargo, and training, continues to develop with its high-tech infrastructure.

  • How would you broadly describe the aviation sector in Türkiye? What are the key dynamics of this sector?

The aviation sector in Türkiye is a highly dynamic, rapidly growing field of strategic importance. It forms the backbone of transportation, supports tourism, accelerates trade, and also plays a critical role in terms of security. We are talking about a broad ecosystem that encompasses not only passenger transportation, but also many sub-sectors such as maintenance and repair, spare parts production, logistics, cargo, ground services, and training. This structure relies on high technology, international standards, and strong work discipline. Therefore, aviation is a strategic sector that directly impacts not only economic growth but also the country’s position on a global scale.

“The number of passengers has increased from a few million to 100 million”
  • How would you assess the development process of civil aviation in Türkiye? What changes have taken place from the past to the present?

Looking back, Türkiye has become one of the fastest-growing countries in civil aviation. While there were only a limited number of aircraft and a few routes in the 1980s, today it boasts modern fleets of hundreds of aircraft, new-generation airports, and one of the world’s largest airport projects, positioning itself as a regional hub. Passenger numbers have grown from a few million to 100 million. Moreover, this growth is not limited to passenger transportation; Türkiye is also becoming an increasingly strong player in cargo transportation and maintenance and repair services. This growth, combined with the country’s strategic geographical location and commitment to aviation investments, is placing Türkiye in a much more prominent position on the global aviation map.

“An airplane consists of 2-3 million parts”
  • A passenger plane consists of thousands of parts. How does the procurement and maintenance of these parts work?

A passenger plane consists of thousands of parts. In fact, an airplane consists of 2-3 million parts, and each of these parts is subject to very strict quality and safety standards. The supply process can be sourced from manufacturers, distributors, or consignment stocks. The most critical factor here is that the parts must be certified; no parts that have not been approved by authorities such as EASA, FAA, or SHY-145 are used. On the maintenance side, regular checks, scheduled overhauls, and unexpected repairs, known as “unscheduled maintenance,” come into play. All processes are recorded and fully traceable, and not a single unauthorized screw can be attached to the aircraft. This disciplined structure also demonstrates why aviation is one of the safest modes of transportation in the world.

“Türkiye can become an important hub for sustainability and technology”
  • What technologies and trends are emerging in the future of the aviation industry? Which countries are leading the way in this field, and what is Türkiye’s current position?

Today, electric and hybrid aircraft, sustainable aviation fuels, AI-based maintenance solutions, digital twin technology, and autonomous systems are at the forefront of the aviation sector. Every innovation aimed at reducing carbon emissions is of great importance. These developments play a critical role not only for an environmentally friendly aviation industry but also in terms of global competitiveness. The US and Europe are leading the way in this regard, while China is rapidly investing. Türkiye, on the other hand, stands out particularly in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV/UCAV), regional aircraft projects, and parts production. With domestic initiatives and international collaborations, Türkiye can become an important hub for sustainability and technology. With the right strategy, Türkiye can be part of this transformation and even take on a leadership role in certain niche areas.

“This sector offers endless opportunities for curious, hardworking, and determined young people”
  • What advice would you give to young people, especially those interested in pursuing a career in aviation?

Aviation is a field that requires patience, discipline, and versatile knowledge. My advice to young people is to learn English very well, be open to technical knowledge, and closely follow international standards. Because this sector requires not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills and a desire for continuous learning. There is a future not only in piloting but also in many other fields such as engineering, maintenance, logistics, software, and data analytics. Every branch of the aviation industry offers job opportunities and career prospects on a global scale. This sector offers endless opportunities for curious, hardworking, and determined young people. The important thing is to set clear goals, work tirelessly, and be able to adapt quickly to changing technologies.