Turkish Airlines to rename CIP lounge after Turkey’s coup attempt victims
ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency
Turkey’s flagship carrier Turkish Airlines (THY) has decided to rename its CIP Lounge at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport after the victims of the failed coup attempt of July 15, a senior executive announced on Aug. 1.THY chair İlker Aycı said the company decided to rename Lounge Istanbul the “July 15 Democracy Heroes Lounge.”
“This victory which will be named in the history of democracy is also undoubtedly a source of inspiration for oppressed nations. To commemorate this historic day, we have decided to rename the Lounge Istanbul which is used by passengers holding Business Class and Elite Card at the International Terminal at Istanbul Ataturk Airport as the July 15 Democracy Heroes Lounge,” Aycı wrote in his column in the airline’s SkyLife magazine.
Turkey recently renamed a number of significant places after the victims of the failed coup attempt, including Istanbul’s Bosphorus Bridge and Kızılay Square in Ankara.
The Bosphorus Bridge - a key strategic point linking Europe to Asia - was blocked by soldiers late on July 15 in one of the first signs to Istanbul residents that a coup was in progress.