Istanbul Airport (İGA) and aircraft manufacturer Airbus have officially signed a training partnership agreement, a first of its kind between an airport and Airbus. The ceremony took place in the İGA Lounge at the airport’s International Departures Terminal.
Groundbreaking Collaboration for Aviation’s Future
Selahattin Bilgen, CEO of İGA, expressed his satisfaction with the signing of this educational cooperation agreement. Bilgen highlighted that while Istanbul Airport is known for connecting the most countries globally and having the highest global connectivity, it has always aimed to be more than just a transportation infrastructure. “Our goal from the very beginning was to be a center that learns, teaches, and directly contributes to the development of the aviation sector. İGA Academy is the most concrete and powerful fruit of this vision,” Bilgen stated.
He further elaborated that the training programs will be conducted under the umbrella of İGA Academy. “The agreement we made with Airbus within the framework of İGA Academy creates a unique ecosystem where theory meets operational reality. The future of our sector will be shaped not only by strong infrastructures but also by much stronger human capital. For us, people are not a consumed resource, but a valuable asset that enriches and benefits the world. We will continue to invest in people,” Bilgen added.
Airbus Beyond CEO Emphasizes Human Connection
Adam McGonigal, CEO of Airbus Beyond, also expressed his pleasure regarding the training collaboration with İGA. McGonigal shared their initial thoughts: “Who could be our first training partner and work with us in Turkey for 40 years? This turned out to be Istanbul Airport.” He underscored that the aerospace industry has always been about connecting people. “This partnership we have established with Istanbul Airport focuses precisely on this ‘human connection’ at the heart of learning. We are honored to sign a game-changing agreement and to ensure that the next generation of leaders have the competencies they need to advance our industry,” McGonigal said.
He further emphasized the significance of the partnership beyond a mere document: “This is more than just a piece of paper. We are making this partnership for the development of the capabilities, talents, and knowledge of the next generation of leaders. We are also making this partnership to enable the new generation to take our industry further.”
Details of the Partnership
Following the speeches, Bilgen and McGonigal signed the agreement. The ceremony was attended by Kaya Ekmekçi, Commercial Attaché of the French Consul General in Istanbul, Veronique Priour, French Commercial Counselor, Tunç Cavcav, İGA Senior Manager of Human and Culture, Gökhan Şengül, İGA Corporate Communications Director, and other relevant officials.
This collaboration, to be implemented under the İGA Academy, will bring together Airbus’s technical expertise with İGA’s robust on-site learning ecosystem. It aims to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience within one of the world’s busiest operational environments. Through this partnership with Airbus, Istanbul Airport will nurture the next generation of leaders who will steer the transformation of the aviation sector.
Source: https://www.ensondakika.com.tr/istanbul-havalimani-ve-airbus-egitim-ortakligi-anlasmasi-imzaladi/598483/
