Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Civil Aviation and Cabin Services Program organized a special event on the occasion of International Civil Aviation Day. The event which took place at Mustafa Afşin Ersoy Hall aimed at raising awareness among students while supporting their career development. During the event, prominent from the aviation sector—including Mehtap Yönel, Head of the Air Traffic Branch at the TRNC Civil Aviation Department; Captain Akay Yılmaz, Pilot at Pegasus Airlines (PGS); Ersan Uluçaylı, Operations Manager at Pegasus Airlines; and Sadık Teksoy, Air Traffic Controller at the TRNC Civil Aviation Department—shared their expertise and experiences with the students. The event attracted significant attention.
EMU Vice Rector for Promotion and Institutional Communication Prof. Dr. Ali Öztüren, Acting Dean of Faculty of Tourism Assist. Prof. Dr. İlkay Yorgancı, Vice Deans of Faculty of Tourism Assist. Prof. Dr. Tuna Karatepe and Assist. Prof. Dr. Ali Özduran, academic staff members and many students attended the event.
“Civil Aviation Reflects the Efforts of a Broad Ecosystem”
Delivering the opening speech of the event, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Tourism, Assist. Prof. Dr. İlkay Yorgancı, emphasized civil aviation’s role as a cornerstone of commerce, cultural exchange, and tourism. She noted that International Civil Aviation Day celebrates the contributions of a broad ecosystem—from pilots and cabin crew to ground services personnel and air traffic controllers—and highlighted that most tourists rely on air travel, making each advancement in aviation a direct driver of tourism growth. Assist. Prof. Dr. Yorgancı stressed that aviation is not only at the heart of transportation, but also global interaction, economic growth, digitalization, sustainability, and innovation. She added that the faculty is committed to preparing graduates skilled in aviation safety, sustainable tourism, customer experience, and destination management, capable of keeping pace with sectoral changes. Concluding her speech with thanks to institutions and students supporting aviation development, Assist. Prof. Dr. Yorgancı hoped that International Civil Aviation Day would serve as an inspiration to all stakeholders.
“Carrying Important Responsibilities”
Prof. Dr. Ali Öztüren, EMU Vice Rector for Promotion and Institutional Communication, shared the latest data on the civil aviation sector. Citing international reports, he noted that 1.5 million new jobs are projected in global civil aviation between 2025 and 2035. He stressed that students are studying in a very promising field and highlighted that cabin crew members carry critical responsibilities beyond service, including flight safety, promoting international engagement, and strengthening ties between nations. Advising students to improve their foreign language skills, make the most of technology, and provide concrete examples during interviews, Prof. Dr. Öztüren also emphasized EMU’s commitment to student development and expressed his wish to see them achieve significant success in the future.
Following the opening speeches, moderated by Acting Dean of Faculty of Tourism Assist. Prof. Dr. İlkay Yorgancı, Mehtap Yönel, Head of the Air Traffic Branch at the TRNC Civil Aviation Department; Captain Akay Yılmaz, Pilot at Pegasus Airlines (PGS); Ersan Uluçaylı, Operations Manager at Pegasus Airlines; and Sadık Teksoy, Air Traffic Controller at the TRNC Civil Aviation Department discussed the current status of civil aviation, the sector’s future, and key aspects related to the field.
Program ended with guest speakers being presented with certificates of participation by EMU Vice Rector for Promotion and Institutional Communication Prof. Dr. Ali Öztüren and Acting Dean of Faculty of Tourism Assist. Prof. Dr. İlkay Yorgancı.
