VP: Turkish Airlines Elevates Turkmenistan as Central Asia’s Key Market

Sinan Dilek, Vice President of Turkish Airlines for Central and South Asia, has underscored the growing importance of Turkmenistan in the airline’s regional strategy.

On a recent working visit to Ashgabat, Dilek revealed that Turkish Airlines has significantly increased its flight frequency to Turkmenistan’s capital, boosting weekly flights from 7 to 17, The Caspian Post reports via Turkmen media.

This expansion follows the airline’s September 2024 decision to separate its Asian and Far Eastern operations into two distinct management units aimed at intensifying regional flight activity.

“Today, Turkmenistan is directly connected to Turkish Airlines' global network, which spans 132 countries and operates more than 480 aircraft,” Dilek said. He emphasized that the airline’s role goes beyond transporting passengers: “We’re not just selling tickets - we’re building air bridges,” highlighting deepening ties in culture, economy, and education.

The airline supports regional growth through training programs at its Istanbul-based Turkish Airlines Academy and by organizing familiarization and press tours to destinations like Antalya, Trabzon, and Rize, with plans to include Cappadocia in 2025.

Dilek also praised the dedicated local workforce in Ashgabat, most of whom are Turkmen nationals with some serving for over a decade. New employees receive comprehensive training and internships to integrate into the company culture.

Looking ahead, Turkish Airlines and its partners plan to launch several initiatives throughout 2025 to strengthen business and tourism ties and increase passenger volumes.

Reflecting on his career, Dilek noted his 13-plus years with Turkish Airlines, including leadership in launching Air Albania and other projects, and his ongoing commitment to sharing expertise in the region.

Closing the interview, Dilek expressed heartfelt appreciation for his warm reception in Turkmenistan, describing the trip as both a professional mission and a spiritual journey to his ancestral “Ata Yurt.” He thanked his Turkmen colleagues and partners, emphasizing the value of strong professional and friendly relations between the two countries.