|
|
TAV Esenboğa General Manager Nuray Demirer: “TAV is a company that has always known how to make a difference”
NURAY DEMİRER: After I graduated from the Architecture Faculty of the Istanbul Technical University I worked on the Bilkent Residences of Tepe Construction in Ankara. Once the project was complete, I came to Istanbul and joined the construction team of Atatürk Airport. I was responsible for the arrivals floor and this is where I acquired my first experience working on airports. I thoroughly enjoyed this job. We then renovated the Domestic Terminal of Atatürk Airport and we managed to achieve high standards in that project as well and in a short time. The TAV spirit was already there at that time and that spirit has never left.After we delivered Atatürk Airport in 2004, I started to work as a construction manager on the additional construction project. Our objective was not only to follow the work program but also to emphasize the aesthetic aspects. Fine Arts students from Marmara University used the 800 metre long curtaining wall between the ramp and the building site as a canvas and painted beautiful pictures on it. Passengers became so absorbed in the paintings that no one even noticed the construction going on behind the wall. In other words, from the very beginning, our objective was to make a difference by carrying out our jobs in the best possible way. After we delivered Atatürk Airport in 2004, I started to work as a construction manager on the additional construction project. Our objective was not only to follow the work program but also to emphasize the aesthetic aspects. Fine Arts students from Marmara University used the 800 metre long curtaining wall between the ramp and the building site as a canvas and painted beautiful pictures on it. Passengers became so absorbed in the paintings that no one even noticed the construction going on behind the wall. In other words, from the very beginning, our objective was to make a difference by carrying out our jobs in the best possible way.
When did you return to the capital?  How can we asses the Esenboğa Airport within the context of the environment and of sustainable development? N.D: The major advantage of the design of the airport from the point of view of sustainable development and of the efficient use of resources is that natural light reaches everywhere. This results in great savings in energy. This is also the first airport in Turkey with a cogeneration system. This system turns natural gas into electricity and we therefore achieve savings in electricity. Moreover, in order to decrease the use of fuel by aircraft, we have 400 Hz and PCA systems at the points where passenger bridges connect to planes. When planes approach the bridge, after the passengers disembark, these systems supply the electricity necessary for the ventilation system, so that the insides of planes can be ventilated. Previously, before planes were connected to this central system, engines needed to continue working for an additional hour and this meant that planes consumed more fuel and more carbon dioxide was emitted into the atmosphere. By encouraging the use of this system, we have made it possible for airlines at Esenboğa to save millions of Euros. Another contribution we have made to the environment has been the TAV Esenboğa Memorial Forest. On 13 October 2008, when we celebrated our second anniversary, we visited the established site with the Mayor, the Governor, our management cadre and our employees. We planted trees with our own hands. Ninety percent of these have rooted. We are aiming to transform our forest into an area covering 10,000 trees. The Ankara Esenboğa Airport was successfully constructed and it is being operated successfully. But we know that you do not think that your job is finished and that you have a proactive approach… N.D: As operators, we know that we carry out an excellent job. But we are not content with this and we actively collaborate with the Ministry of Transport. We believe that the airport should develop together with the city. We endeavor to fulfill Ankara’s duty as a connection center, as a hub. We have direct flights from Ankara to 38 destinations. But our wish is to reach out to not 38 but 138 destinations. When we look at the physical location of Ankara we see that it is right in the centre of the east, west, north and south of the country. Right now, with Anadolu Jet, we carry people from 28 places within Turkey to the Ankara Esenboğa Airport. The occupancy rate on these flights has reached approximately 95%. Therefore, Ankara is a focus for domestic traffic and from here they go to Istanbul and on to many international flights. We may not be able to gather passengers for the United States here but it is possible to gather passengers for many other destinations. For example, rather than have passengers come to Ankara, move on to Istanbul and then to Baghdad, we can send passengers directly to Baghdad. This would also mean savings in energy and time. The government, the ministries, public bodies, bureaucrats and technocrats are all in Ankara. The passenger circulation is very interesting. Passengers can fly directly to Brussels from here. According to our records for last year, 1 million people flew as transit passengers. Our passenger figures for last year were approximately 5.8 million; this means that one out of six passengers did not fly directly from here but as transit passengers. So they were not able to take advantage of the comfort of the Esenboğa International Terminal. Which characteristics of Ankara do you think should be emphasized in order for Ankara to become a hub? N.D: Ankara could become a congress center. Investments should be made in this direction. Areas of Ankara such as Haymana and Beypazarı are equipped with significant infrastructure for thermal spring tourism. From the point of view of thermal capacity we are seventh in the world and first in Europe. This potential should be utilized. Passengers for the Hajj and for the Umrah pilgrimages constitute our most voluminous group. One of our main aims is for Esenboğa to become the Hajj terminal for Turkey. Hajj passengers from all over Turkey should gather here and fly directly from here. They generally consist of elderly people. Such passengers should be able to carry out their procedures rapidly, without experiencing any problems, and board their planes. At Esenboğa procedures take place very rapidly. We are working on this with the Ministry of Religious Affairs. As somebody who has known TAV for 10 years, what can you say about the TAV spirit? N.D: We have a very young, very dynamic structure. The TAV Group is a global organization which has managed to create a formidable synergy out of the partnership between the two big companies of Tepe and Akfen. It is managed by a strong leadership. It comprises the most positive aspects of the two companies. Which other factors do you think are effective in this great success? N.D:Great attention is paid to suggestions made by employees and to their feelings. Success is always held in esteem. Management knows how to be appreciative. People are always encouraged; they are told, “I am behind you, go ahead.” Operational decisions are carried out with flexibility and transparency. We hold fast to the message that, “You are important for the TAV family. Your presence here contributes a great deal to our family,” and we convey this message to our employees. Mutual trust, the trust of superiors to subordinates and vice versa, is felt very intensely. We focus on success. Failure never crosses our minds. We have very high objectives. In the preliminary stage of the Aviation Council I said, “Let’s go into space in 2023” and a group of 30 people laughed at me. This is an attitude that only a member of TAV can understand. In ten years we have achieved such dreams so rapidly that there is nothing we cannot achieve! Why do you laugh when you hear about going into space? How many years are we talking about? Turkey should be at that stage by now. In our daily lives too, we keep setting extreme objectives, so that we can run to achieve them. Since the TAV Family has managed to operate 10 airports in its 10th year, why should it not achieve a similar success in many other countries of the world? We never dream of asking, “How is this going to be done?” We simply say, “Why not?” |
Index
 TAG:
|
TAV-Esenboğa | Ankara | -Nuray-Demirer | Esenboga-Airport | Airport | elegant-airport | pioneers | Ataturk-airport |