Airline Passenger Experience Association honored Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee M. İlker Aycı with the APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 APEX/IFSA Expo. This is the first time a European aviation leader has received this distinction. APEX CEO Dr. Joe Leader presented the award in recognition of Aycı’s more than 25 years of service to the industry, his energetic leadership, and his many contributions to enhancing the passenger experience.
“Turkish Airlines has advanced so incredibly under the leadership of Chairman M. İlker Aycı,” APEX CEO Dr. Joe Leader said. “Reaching the pinnacle of our industry with APEX World Class tops off a string of non-stop wins for Turkish Airlines. The airline’s advancements in health safety, service, and sustainability, together with one of the youngest fleets in the world, illustrate excellence across the board.”
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Turkish Airlines collected several awards at the event. In addition to the CEO Lifetime Achievement Award, the carrier received the inaugural APEX World Class Award, maintained its Five Star Global Official Airline Ratings for the fifth consecutive year, and earned the Diamond APEX Health Safety Award. The World Class Award recognizes airlines that demonstrate exceptional performance in health and safety, sustainability, and overall guest experience. After APEX evaluated more than 600 carriers in its Official Airline Ratings, Turkish Airlines emerged among the top-rated airlines worldwide.
During the expo, Aycı delivered a keynote interview with BBC World News Talking Business presenter Aaron Heslehurst. Reflecting on the recognition, he said it was a great honor for Turkish Airlines to be acknowledged for its health and safety measures and consistent service quality. He highlighted the importance of the audited flight program established by APEX and praised the airline’s employees and partners for their role in the carrier’s progress. Accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award, Aycı expressed gratitude to the airline’s team, stakeholders, and partners for their dedication and for driving continuous innovation at Turkish Airlines.