“TAV Georgia, the first operation of TAV abroad, provides services not only as a terminal but also as an airport operator. It is very important for us. Many people from different nationalities work together here as an integrated whole.” After getting his degree in finance in the USA, Mete Erkal worked in various institutions including Blinder&Robinson, Turkish Airlines, Havaş, Çelebi, and Ata Holding before moving on to TAV as Holding Operations Coordination Manager. Mr. Erkal has been working in Tbilisi as operations manager of Georgia for 2 months. Mr. Erkal indicates that being in Georgia is a quite exciting step in his career and adds, "Operations in Tbilisi and Batumi Airports have been settled thanks to the conscientious work of previous employees. From now on, our target is to have our employees adopt a common work ethic without respect to whether they are Turkish, Georgian, Adjarian, Armenian, Azerbaijani or Russian. Our other target is to make these airports the best ones in Caucasia”. METE ERKAL TAV Georgia General Manager

“Batumi Airport has managed to attract foreign investment to Batumi and its surrounding area, --a warm holiday resort in Caucasia. Many changes and developments will take place in Batumi within the 20 year operation period of TAV there.” Haluk Özdilek is a senior civil engineer who has been working for TAV since 2001. After working on the first expansion project for TAV, he worked as a consultant in the coordination of aerodrome construction in Dubai and in as a consultant during the construction of Ankara Esenboğa Airport. Özdilek came to Georgia in 2006 for the construction of Batumi Airport. He is from Ardeşen and knows the area very well: “My great grandfather had stores in Moscow, Kotabe and Batumi. My grandmother used to tell me their stories about reaching Batumi on a boat. Therefore, when I first got here, I felt a little bit disappointed. The roads were in bad shape. The road between the hotel and the airport was like a path. The management renovated the roads as well as the airport. They planted trees, provided lighting. Construction of the new airport has initiated some developments. Now it has a brand new environment that can stimulate tourism”. HALUK ÖZDİLEK TAV Georgia Deputy Director General.

Relations with Russia are expected to improve
The total number of passengers using Tbilisi and Batumi Airport currently is about 700-750. After the war between Georgia and Russia in August 2008, there was a serious decrease in the number of passengers. The effects of ongoing tensions with Russia on the Georgian economy have continued, however, tourism income is expected to increase with the new investments, especially ”casino” tourism which is increasing and it is expected that this development will speed up with the introduction of hotel chains into the country.

TBILISI AIRPORT BLENDS WITH THE AESTHETIC OF THE CITY
Tbilisi is a popular city with historical as well as natural beauty. The TAV Group has constructed an airport which is suitable for this city with its architectural as well as practical features, providing a heightened level of expertise in the field of airport operation here.
Georgia Airlines Air Zena has flights from Tbilisi Airport to Vienna, Paris, Erivan, Kiev, Kharkov, Frankfurt and Minsk; Armenian Airline ARM AVIA has flights to Yerevan; Lufthansa Airlines has flights to Munich; Ukrainian Airlines has flights to Kiev, Azerbaijan Airlines has flights to Baku and Turkish Airlines has flights to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. The occupancy rate of Turkish Airlines is approximately 65%. A 10% increase in cargo flights is also expected within the next couple of years.

Caucasian Policy of Turkey is being supported
Mete Erkal, General Manager of TAV Georgia, states that they are the first ones to develop the model of “Build-Operate-Transfer” and continues as follows: “Our goal is to contribute to the development of Georgia. We are sharing our experience from the privatization process of airports in Turkey with other western countries and telling them that we are having the same problems, and showing them the ways to solve them. The Georgian government is aware of the fact that they need to support foreign investment for the future welfare of the country. Thus, they are acting in an open-minded and constructive manner. In that way, we are trying to support both the economic and the social policy of Turkey in Caucasia. We are a member of the Turkish Businessmen’s Association and ICC (International Chamber of Commerce). We are conducting publicity campaigns both at the ICC and Turkish Businessmen’s Association to promote new job opportunities here. We are bringing the government and air lines together to adopt “common route management.” Operation in Tbilisi has been established to a great extent now. Hereafter, our targets are to increase investments, to support increasing tourism in the region and to make Batumi and Tbilisi Airports the best around. We have specific strategies to achieve these goals.”

”We are working very hard to increase the tourism potential and number of passengers coming to Georgia.” Mert Kandiyeli, who worked in FRA Airport (Frankfurt Airport) between 2002 and 2005, started working as Terminal Operations Officer at TAV Istanbul in 2005. He participated in the Manager Candidate Training Program which was first held in 2008. After this training, he was promoted to Batumi as the Operations Chief. Kandiyeli states that, as a member of the Acara Tourism Association, they are trying to increase the tourism potential of the region. Also, they are improving the quality of service and consequently the number of passengers by getting feedback from passengers and sharing their ideas. The entrance hallway of Batumi Airport has been decorated with special pictures reflecting the special environment and nature of the region as well as the cultural features of the area. He adds that they took the initiative to organize an exhibition featuring photographs of Georgia, both at Istanbul Ataturk and Ankara Esenboga Airports operated by TAV. He continues, “Black sea tours covering Trabzon, Rize, Hopa, and Batumi are very popular. In course of time, tours to natural parks, vineyards and tea farms will also be popular. The other important factor that will attract people to the region is “casino tourism,” which is getting more and more popular”. MERT KANDİYELİ TAV Batumi International Airport Operator Chief.

“Georgia can be an aviation bridge between the Far East and Europe”. Candemir Akyıldız began working as a Manager of the Department of Flight Information and Consultancy at TAV Istanbul in 2000. Yağız Zabun, who started working at TAV in 1999 and worked as a Supervisor of Domestic Flights in Istanbul, was promoted to Tbilisi in July 2008. Akyıldız and Zabun stated that they have taken over a very different and more comprehensive operation in Tbilisi, and that they are still in training. They say the following about TAV Georgia: “We handle 100% of air transportation in Georgia. There are two airports operated by TAV Georgia. This is an advantage. The other advantage is that the country itself, geographically, is technically very suitable for the landing of some planes flying between the Far East and Europe. We are trying to increase traffic at the airport by making use of this advantage”. From left to right: YAĞIZ ZABUN / TAV Georgia Tbilisi Airport Operations Chief CANDEMİR AKYILDIZ / TAV Georgia Tbilisi Airport Operations Manager

“Transition to the international reporting system in financial legislation in Georgia started with TAV Georgia.” Tarık Osmanağaoğlu, who was a student at the university preparatory school in Georgia in 1991, returned to Turkey because of the civil war before the Rose Revolution, but went back to Georgia after graduating from university. He started working as the Head of the Revenue Department at TAV Georgia in 2005. Then he became the Finance and Administrative Manager. Affiliated departments with which he works closely are the Department of Revenue and the Expenditures and the Administration Department. Osmanağaoğlu states that there are different regulations regarding financial issues in Georgia adding: ”We fulfill our tax obligations while adhering to strict rules. Thanks to increasing foreign investment, the bureaucracy has been gradually adopting international reporting standards. This makes our job easier. The system that TAV operates here plays a key role in terms of the integration of Georgia with the world.” TARIK OSMANAĞAOĞLU TAV Georgia Financial and Administrative Works Manager

There is huge demand for the high quality wines at the wine store where Teliani Valley wines are sold. Mete Vural, ATU Georgia Stores Manager, states that sales even during the crisis are very high. “This is where we first tasted Georgian wine.” Mete Vural, who started working at ATU in 1999, was promoted to Manager of the ATU Georgia Stores in 2007 after working as a cashier, sales person, promotion person, supervisor, main store supervisor and store chief. Vural says that there are 6000 products in the stores of TAV Georgia and states regarding their management and marketing strategies: “First of all, we implemented the basic product assortment. Then we did research to see which products would sell. The nationality and profile of the passengers are closely related to purchasing tendencies. Economic and political structures of neighboring countries are variable. The Russian war, the swine flu, the Karabagh problem in Azerbaijan, and the political instability in the Armenian, Dagestan and Chechnya regions certainly influences our flight demographic and sales to those places. Georgian wine is the product that we are most proud of and most confident in. We sell inexpensive but high quality wines. The variety of wines in our store is remarkable and we are satisfied with our sales. We sell up to 5000-5500 bottles of wine monthly, even during the crisis. We can easily say that we are a leading sector in introducing Georgian wine abroad.”

Kandiyeli states that this airport was operating with a very low capacity before TAV took over, and at first it was difficult to provide service at European standards. They were very far from modern civil aviation technology but everything has settled over time. He points out that TAV Georgia is the first operation to have ISO and Environment Quality Certificates and that training was very significant in reaching this standard. He continues: "Currently we are providing ‘customer service’ training to our staff together with Turkish Airlines in accordance with the standards set by Star Alliance. We are going to provide check-in training for our staff next month."

Yüksel Üst, the Technical Manager of TAV Batumi International Airport, is responsible for the aerodrome. There is a team of 48 employees reporting to him. The team responsible for the department of the ramp, the maintenance and cleaning of the apron and the fire department are also included in that group. Üst, who previously worked as apron consultant and concrete switchboard responsible at TAV Esenboğa, is also responsible for construction sections; electricity, electronic, computer system, heating, ventilation and luggage systems in Batumi Airport. He mentions that Batumi Airport has ISO 14001 and ISO 59001 certificates, also that they have realized many implementations to minimize damage to the environment. He says: “We have our own well and water treatment system. Trash is classified as paper, plastic, iron. Measurements are constantly made in terms of noise pollution. By the way, we are very careful in energy savings. He also talks about the training of his team, pointing out that firemen are trained twice a year and that all staff is provided with first aid and security trainings. Also, the technical staff is provided with professional training and has their certificates.

The first serious investment in Batumi

Batum Airport has problems with flights early in the morning because the track is open to reverse winds until 1PM. Here, the planes land and take off from the sea side. The TAV Georgia team in Batumi is composed of 96 employees, 4 of whom are Turkish. Staff works in shifts and there is very limited jet landing at night. Flights to Tbilisi are approximately 4.3% because of high charges. Haluk Özdilek mentions that flights from Azerbaijan Airports to Tbilisi and Batumi cost approximately 200 TL while Turkish Airlines flights to Batumi cost 89 TL.

Haluk Özdilek states that TAV Airports Company is a Turkish company which has made the first important investment in Batumi, and that after them, Nurol Construction company came there to construct a branch of Sheraton Hotels; and then Turkcell as the founder of GeoCell, the most important operator of the country, and then some other textile companies. There are many new hotel and “casino” constructions in Batumi. Batumi, which has a tropical climate because of it geographical location, was like the “Riviera” of the Black Sea during the days of the Soviet Union. There are many summer resorts and houses in the area. The coastline from the Turkish border to Sohomi is very beautiful and has a very clean sea. Özdilek remarks that parks were crowded in summer in Batumi before the tension with Russia, and mentions that both Armenian and Azerbaijani tourists started to come to the area after Russian tourists quit coming.

Özdilek says that TAV Airports have a quite favorable reputation in Batumi and that during the war they even brought two truckloads of supplies to distribute to people in need. Employees of the Batumi Airport are mostly locals and the management team handles communication via translators and the employees who speak Georgian.

THE TASTE OF BTA CATERING IN TBILISI Uğur İstiklal Basa, who came to Tbilisi in June, has been working at BTA Catering for the last 5 years. Before coming to Georgia, Basa worked as Country Manager of BTA in Tunisia, and states that they have a capacity of 500 seats in Tbilisi. They serve passengers both on the ground and in-flight. The Cappadocia Café and T&G (The first letters of both Turkey and Georgia) Café are the ones on land while Beer Port and Burger City are the ones in-flight. Basa states that they make approximately 25-30 thousand invoices monthly, and continues: “We have a personnel cafeteria of 120 people besides the four places that provide services to our passengers.

TBILISI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
"I have been in the aviation sector for 20 years. Georgian Airlines, where I first worked, was one of the independent private companies in the Soviet Union. I was in charge of Passenger Services and International Affairs. Later I went to Amsterdam for some time. I had worked as a General Deputy Manager for Tbilisi International Airport from 1999 to 2006. 11 flights occurred from Batumi to Moscow during the Soviet period. We had 3 million passengers in a year. After Georgia declared its independence, we had trouble during civil war. Since TAV Airports Company took control of airport construction and operation, we’ve been able to provide service at international standards. The number of our passengers has been increasing day by day since 2007; however war with Russia has influenced us some. But I believe that we will have an upward trend from now on." Tamaz Andguladze General Deputy Manager.		“I graduated from Tbilisi University in the Department of Turkish Language and Literature and also in Georgian Language and Literature. I have been working as a translator for TAV Georgia. After graduating from the university, I went to Turkey on a TOMER scholarship. I took courses at the Armed Forces Language School. I worked as a Georgian Teacher for Turkish soldiers. After coming back to Tbilisi, I worked as a Turkish Teacher for Georgian soldiers for 6 years. I have been working as a translator for TAV Airports since the construction of this airport. I am very pleased to work in such an environment.” Tea Samkharadze Translator
“I have been in charge of the Kindergarten at Tbilisi Airport for approximately one and half years. I worked in the Human Resources Department for two years when TAV Airports took over operations. TAV renovated and cleaned this building which is 35 years old. Currently, there are 8 classes and 200 children. TAV management places great emphasis on children’s nutrition. They are providing everything for their development. The main language at the kindergarten is Georgian; however there is a Russian speaking group as well. In addition to that, English courses are provided to children. There are groups of children from different nationalities such as Turkish, Moroccan, Azerbaijani and Armenian. Both children of airport staff and people living in the neighborhood can make use of the kindergarten. I always wanted to have a job related to children. I have fulfilled this wish thanks to TAV.” Natasha Belik Kindergarten Manager		“I did my graduate degree in Istanbul, Turkey at the Istanbul University Department of Economics. Then, I got a masters degree in personnel management in Moscow. I started working at TAV Georgia in 2005 as the first Georgian employee. First I worked as a Personnel and Administrative Chief and then as a Human Resources Manager. Kindergarten administration is one of my responsibilities. All 1000 employees who were previously working in this airport had been recruited by TAV Georgia. Foreign staff here feels very pleased to work for TAV Georgia. We are a big family. This makes me so happy as the human resources manager. Tea Zakaradze TAV Georgia Human Resources Manager
“I graduated from the Air Technical University in 1971. I am one of the first graduates. Then I continued my education at Kiev Aviation University. I am from Tbilisi and was born in Armenia. I have been working at Tbilisi International Airport since 1981. I have always been in the aviation. I became a manager in time. Work discipline was improved after TAV took over operations. Working conditions have reached international standards in technical terms. I am very pleased to be working for a Turkish company.” Otar Davoian Deputy Operations Air Manager.		“My family is Azerbaijani. However, I learned Turkish watching Turkish TV series. Previously I was working at the car park. I have been in the operations department for the last one and a half years. We are working in coordination with the towers. In general, operation is the most risky sector. We always have to be careful. People from Havaş came and provided us with training for approximately one month. I love working for TAV Georgia. I speak English, Russian, Turkish and Georgian. I believe that I can have a career at TAV Georgia. I am very satisfied to work here.” Tamila Garahanova Flight Operations Officer
BATUMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
“I have been working at Batumi Airport since May 2007. I am very pleased to work for TAV Georgia. I live in Sarp, on the border with Turkey. I have learnt Turkish on my own by watching Turkish channels on TV. I sometimes go to Turkey as well. I also know how to speak Russian and English. I love my job; however, I am waiting for an increase in the number of flights for which we provide service.” Imeda Kakabadze Operations Officer		“I graduated from Batumi State University, Department of English Language. I have been working at Batumi Airport for two years. My job is to announce flights and inform passengers. I also love helping people. There are never any serious problems here. I love working for TAV Georgia.” Olga Vasilieva Consultant Officer