Malaysia Airports to revamp Istanbul airport leadership

The Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SGIA) in Instanbul, one of the two international airports in Turkey

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) is making changes to the management of the Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (ISG) in line with its plans to transform the business.

In a statement late on Wednesday, the airport operator said Gokhan Bugday had stepped down as ISG chief executive officer effective March 1 to make way for a new leadership to take on a new growth target.

“It (the airport) is now entering a new phase of development and growth and with that, there is a need to shift to a more global perspective to create bigger opportunities for ISG. This entails changes across all segments of the business to ensure that ISG will continue to thrive and compete internationally,” MAHB said.

MAHB managing director Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said with the support from MAHB’s recent and upcoming investments, it expected ISG to not only be a key contributor to the group’s sustainability, but also create further value to the Turkish economy and increase the country’s international appeal.

Aided by the rapidly improving connectivity to and around ISG and the completion of the second runway in year 2018, MAHB expects the airport to double its airside capacity.

“In line with our international expansion strategy, we will continue to derive value from our investment in Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, thus enjoying organic growth,” he said.

Badlisham also said the company was grateful for the contribution by Bugday to the growth in ISG over the last eight years.

MAHB manages and operates 39 airports in Malaysia in addition to the international airport in Istanbul.