In a groundbreaking session at the World Aviation Festival in Lisbon, Güliz Öztürk, the trailblazing CEO of Pegasus Airlines, Türkiye’s top low-cost airline, provided insights into the company’s forward-thinking strategy that is set to shape the industry’s trajectory.
The two-day summit, held at the FIL – Lisbon Exhibition and Congress Centre on September 27-28, 2023, witnessed a revolutionary exchange of ideas, with industry giants deliberating on core issues. Leading this charge was Öztürk, who, in an impactful keynote conversation with Bloomberg’s Guy Johnson, emphasized, “For the future of our planet and for the prosperity of upcoming generations, the imperatives of sustainability and diversity can’t be sidelined. It’s pivotal to establish audacious objectives and pursue them with unwavering commitment.”
Exploring the aviation industry’s horizons, Öztürk engaged in a thought-provoking CEO panel discussion covering topics like aviation’s future, profitability dimensions, sustainability challenges, and Artificial Intelligence’s game-changing role. Speaking fervently on the urgent need for industry-wide collaboration, she asserted, “To actualize our Net Zero 2050 vision, a holistic approach encompassing SAF production innovation, apt incentives, and industry partnership is paramount.”
But Öztürk wasn’t alone in championing this visionary approach. During a panel dedicated to Chief Commercial Officers, Onur Dedeköylü, Pegasus’s Chief Commercial Officer, delved deep into post-pandemic passenger trends. He remarked, “In this post-pandemic epoch, the essence lies in proffering adaptability to our passengers, from tailored flight options aligned with their economic needs to custom-made loyalty programs.”
Adding to this, Barış Fındık, the airline’s CIO, elucidated how Pegasus is at the forefront of leveraging tech transformations, especially AI/ML applications. He explained how eco-friendly aspirations align perfectly with operational efficiency. A joint session with Fındık and Dedeköylü further spotlighted AI and ML’s capabilities in refining the customer journey, making it more intuitive and tailored.
Ahmet Bağdat, the Director of Marketing and E-commerce, highlighted the airline’s digital advancements, stating, “Our strategic focus hinges on personalization. Recognizing data’s cardinal role, we curate campaigns resonating with our audience’s inclinations.” Delving into the digital realm, he also touched upon influencer marketing’s power in captivating younger audiences and augmenting the digital guest experience.
Lastly, Bahadır Durak, who helms Data Analytics and Loyalty Programs, reflected on the airline’s strategic digital metamorphosis. He emphasized, “To keep our loyalty programs relevant, it’s crucial to remain attuned to consumers. We focus on assimilating feedback, harnessing data and tech to upgrade our services, and enhancing these through tactical alliances.”
This stellar conference showcased the strides Pegasus Airlines is making and highlighted the future roadmap for the global aviation sector, defined by sustainability, inclusivity, and relentless innovation.
Written by: Bridget Gomez