Turkey’s Pegasus Airlines announces first female CEO

Pegasus Airlines will appoint Güliz Öztürk as its new chief executive officer, the airline announced on March 31, 2022, making her the first female CEO to lead an airline in the history of Turkish civil aviation. 

Güliz Öztürk, currently serving as a chief commercial officer of Pegasus Airlines, will take over from current chief executive Mehmet T. Nane, on May 1, 2022.  

Nane, who served as CEO since 2016, will continue as Pegasus vice chairperson of the board of directors. Nane will also start a new position as IATA’s chair of board in June 2022.   

Prior to commencing at Pegasus in 2005, Öztürk served as Manager of International Relations and Contracts, Alliance Coordinator, and Sales and Marketing Director at Turkish Airlines. 

“I am delighted to be passing the CEO baton to Güliz Öztürk, who has made significant contributions to the growth and development of Pegasus for many years,” Nane said. “This appointment holds great value and significance also as Güliz Öztürk is to become the first woman CEO of an airline in the history of Turkish civil aviation.” 

The appointment comes just a day after Dutch airline KLM announced a new female CEO, Marjan Rintel. 

Öztürk said: “We will make every effort, institutionally and individually, to contribute to the equal participation of women and men in all areas of social life and to enable women to express their full potential.” 

She also added that this change is proof of the importance of gender equality across the airline and the whole industry.  

An analysis by FlightGlobal released on International Women’s Day revealed that just 7 of the world’s top 100 airlines are led by women.