Dalaman Airport is located on Türkiye’s south-west coast, which is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the country and in the whole Mediterranean. Nestled on the stunning Turkish Riviera, Dalaman boasts an array of natural wonders, from pristine beaches with crystal-clear waters to majestic mountain ranges. Visitors to the region can explore ancient ruins, sample delicious Mediterranean cuisine, and experience the warmth and hospitality of the local culture.
The airport has two terminals with capacity for over 17 million passengers per year. It is owned by one of Türkiye’s most established companies, YDA Group, and the world-wide infrastructure giant Ferrovial.
“Dalaman Airport can be described in one sentence: ‘The gateway to the Turkish Riviera’,” says CEO Yiğit Laçin. He further affirms that the company is on course towards its vision of delivering the best possible service quality on the Turkish Riviera, including a stress-free customer experience through innovation, while having safe, secure, and sustainable airport operations.
Green and digitised
To this end, the airport has embarked on several major investment initiatives aimed at expanding its business and enhancing its service offerings. One of these is the implementation of currently the largest airport solar project in the world, set to produce nearly 55% of the airport’s energy needs from solar panels in the first stage, and forecast to cover 100% of the airport’s energy needs from solar within 2025, making Dalaman one of the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly airports in Türkiye.
“This initiative not only aligns with our commitment to sustainability but also allows us to reduce our carbon footprint and to lower energy costs in the long term,” says Laçin. “A number of other significant steps towards sustainability have been taken by implementing eco-friendly initiatives and adopting green practices throughout our operations. We are committed to further reducing our environmental footprint not only by investing in renewable energy sources but also by minimizing waste generation and promoting eco-friendly transportation options.”
In addition, the airport is also revising its non-aeronautical offerings to diversify its revenue streams and enhance passenger experience. “By introducing new retail, F&B, and entertainment options at our airport, we aim to create additional value for our customers while maximizing commercial opportunities for our business,” says Laçin.
These investments underscore the company’s commitment to growth and innovation, as it continues to explore new avenues for expanding its operations, driving profitability, and delivering value to its stakeholders. Not surprisingly, achieving these objectives will be greatly helped by digitisation.
Laçin says: “AI and digitisation offer promising solutions for enhancing our operational efficiency, improving the passenger experience, and optimizing resource management. By leveraging AI-powered analytics and digital technologies, we aim to gain deeper insights into customer preferences and behaviour, allowing us to tailor our services to meet their evolving needs effectively. Digitisation also enables us to streamline internal processes, to enhance communication channels and, ultimately, is driving greater productivity and performance across the organisation.”
Strong in partnerships
Given its attractive location, Dalaman Airport can expect a continued increase in passenger traffic. Laçin points out that around 60% of travellers come from the UK, but the plan is to increase traffic from other European destinations.
“We are committed to diversifying the markets we serve by exploring new routes, partnerships, and business opportunities. By expanding our reach and diversifying our revenue streams, we can mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations and economic uncertainties, while also tapping into new customer segments and growth markets,” he says, noting that the airport’s biggest challenge currently revolves around high seasonality.
“During peak seasons, there is a significant surge in passenger traffic, requiring us to efficiently allocate staff and resources to handle the increased demand. Ensuring a seamless travel experience for our customers while managing the fluctuating workload poses a continuous challenge for our operations. However, it’s important to note that we do not face capacity issues at our facilities, which allows us to focus on optimising our operational response to high seasonality.”
As such, the seasonability challenge is handled well, and partnerships with reliable suppliers certainly help.
“Suppliers are essential contributors to our business success,” Laçin affirms. “Operating an airport involves a complex ecosystem of services and resources, and we rely on our network of suppliers to provide everything from essential infrastructure maintenance supplies to necessary repair services, ensuring the smooth functioning of our operations.”
“Suppliers play a critical role in maintaining the high standards of safety, efficiency, and customer service that are essential in the aviation industry. Whether it is providing quality products, delivering on-time services, or offering innovative solutions, our suppliers directly impact our ability to meet the needs of airlines, passengers, and other stakeholders. By partnering with reliable and responsive suppliers, we can enhance our operational effectiveness, reduce downtime, and ultimately deliver a superior airport experience for all our customers.”
Promising prospects
He acknowledges that going forward, development at the airport will continue as the company focuses on executing its strategic initiatives and capitalizing on emerging opportunities. “One of our primary objectives is to complete ongoing projects, such as the non-aero and solar power plant phase-2 projects, which will further enhance our operational and commercial capabilities and sustainability efforts.”
Progressing all these initiatives means that the airport will be in excellent shape for a major event that is scheduled to take place in Dalaman next year – the 2025 ACI Regional Airports Conference and Exhibition. “We are proud that Dalaman Airport will serve as the host venue. It provides us with a valuable opportunity to showcase to an international audience not only our state-of-the-art facilities but also the breathtaking beauty of our region.”
“With its year-round sunshine and diverse attractions, Dalaman offers something for every traveller, whether they seek relaxation, adventure, or cultural immersion. We’re thrilled to welcome delegates from around the world to our corner of paradise and to share the magic of Dalaman with them during the conference.”
That magic, coupled with excellent customer experience, will certainly secure a promising future for Dalaman airport for many years ahead. “We are confident in our ability to navigate challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and deliver sustainable value to our stakeholders in the months and years ahead,” Laçin concludes.
