Turkish Airlines CEO takes over as head of Aerospace Industries
Burak Bekdil - ANKARA
CEO of Turkey’s national carrier Turkish Airlines, Temel Kotil, has taken over as top official of the country’s aerospace powerhouse Tusas Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).Kotil, who has been running THY since 2005, the airliner’s most successful years of growth—took over TAI’s top position from Muharrem Dörtkaşlı.
“Kotil’s appointment is an indication of the government’s commitment to boost aerospace programs,” said one senior defense procurement official. “He is expected to reflect his aviation success on to a major air defense system.”
His appointment as TAI’s chief executive officer was endorsed at the company’s board meeting Oct. 20, TAI sources said.
Kotil served as an Assistant Associate Professor and Associate Professor in Istanbul Technical University’s (ITU) Faculty of Aircraft and Space Sciences, in 2003. He began his career at Turkish Airlines as an Assistant Technical General Director. Kotil also served as Deputy General Manager at Turkish Technic, THY’s maintenance subsidiary.
He founded and managed the Aviation and Advanced Composite Laboratories of ITU. Kotil has also been a member of the board of governors at the International Air Transport Association since 2006.
Defense industry sources say Kotil’s appointment would give pace to some of Turkey’s slowly progressing aerospace programs including ambitions to design, develop and build the country’s first locally-built fighter jet program dubbed TFX.
“Kotil will refresh TAI’s programs not just in aerial platforms but also the company’s satellite ambitions,” an aviation industry executive said. “We expect much from his tenure.”
A local aviation company official said Kotil’s appointment would also boost state-to-private industry cooperation in aerospace.
“Kotil will find ways to strengthen efforts to create synergy between civilian and military aviation and aerospace programs,” said one official. “That will hopefully maximize cooperation between TAI and smaller local players.”
