Türkiye – Turkish Airlines Flight Academy (TAFA), the ab initio pilot training arm of Turkish Airlines, has announced a leadership transition following five years of operational expansion under outgoing General Manager Dr. Ibrahim Zeki Akyurt. Fatih Unalan, previously Deputy General Manager, has been appointed as the new General Manager of the academy.

• Under Dr. Akyurt’s tenure, training flight hours increased fourfold from 22,500 to 92,500 hours.

• In the first half of 2025 alone, TAFA recorded 40,388 flight hours, exceeding planned training targets.

• Graduate output grew from 77 to 350 pilots —a 4.5x increase.

• The training program duration was reduced from 22 to 14 months.

• The transition in leadership follows continued growth across TAFA’s training infrastructure, including a nearly 60-aircraft fleet and training conducted at six airports across Türkiye.

Statements:

• “I would like to sincerely thank our THY Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat, our TAFA Chairmen of the Board of Directors Mr. Abdulkerim Cay and Mr. MEHMET KADAİFÇİLER and all my colleagues for their support during my tenure at TAFA.” – Dr. Ibrahim Zeki Akyurt, outgoing General Manager, TAFA
• “We also congratulate our Deputy General Manager Fatih ÜNALAN, who will take over the flag at TAFA. I wish them continued success in my new position.”

Source: TAFA
Photo Credit: Turkish Airlines Flight Academy