Mr. Konukcu started his early career working as an engineer in several midsize companies. He started his career at Turkish Airlines in 2003 as an engineer in the engine shop under the management of Chief Technical Officer and beginning in 2004, he continued to work as an engineer under Strategic Planning Management. In 2009, Mr. Konukcu was appointed as the Fleet Planning and Aircraft Acquisition Manager and served as the SVP of Investment Management between 2012 and 2020. With his career of almost 17 years in Turkish Airlines, he took part in the preparation of the Company’s strategical plans, investment plans and fleet plans. He also played an active role in the leasing or purchasing of nearly 550 aircraft. The number of aircraft in the Company’s fleet rose from 65 aircraft in 2003 to 365 aircraft in 2020 when he left the Company. Mr. Konukcu played a significant role in the establishing of the Flight Training Center which would reach the capacity of 29 flight simulators and the Flight Training Academy which had 27 training aircraft. Mr. Konukcu also coordinated the move of the passenger operations from Atatürk Airport to Istanbul Airport, which was completed in 2019.

 

Mr. Konukcu served as the Vice President of Strategy and Affiliates Management in Turkish Aerospace Industry between September 2020 and January 2022. He also served as the acting Vice President of Corporate Marketing and Communications for about 2.5 months. In this period, the 10 year strategy plan of the company was prepared and process improvement activities were expedited.

 

Having begun serving as the Chief Investment & Technology Officer at Turkish Airlines in February 1, 2022, Mr. Konukcu is responsible for strategical planning, fleet planning, aircraft and aircraft related major investments, management of the international relations, especially Star Alliance, management of the innovation activities and activities relating to sustainability. Levent Konukcu concurrently holds the esteemed positions of Chairman of the Board at TCI Systems Inc., Member of the Board of Directors at TEC Ltd, and Member of the Board of Directors at We World Express.

 

Mr. Konukcu is fluent in English. He is married and has three children.