Could you explain the business processes of your operation?

Our operation, which we took over from Unifree in October 2015, has an area of approximately 4000 square meters, consisting of 7 stores, 2 warehouse areas and administrative offices. Our operation, which appeals to passengers from many different nationalities who want to have a holiday in Bodrum, starts the season at the beginning of April and ends in November. In the winter season, we serve international transfer passengers coming to our region from domestic flights in our arrival store and domestic passengers in our 140 square meter duty paid store located in the domestic terminal.

With whom are you in contact?

If you are the Regional Operations Manager, you must be in personal contact with the Police Chief, Customs Director, Chief Executive of State Airports Authority, and the Local Authority (Deputy Governor-District Governor) on behalf of your company's representation. In addition, we have managerial relations with companies such as Havaş, Çelebi, TGS, THY, Pegasus for passengers and terminal-related processes. We are also a member of the AOC (Airport Operators Committee) as the regional operations directorate, and we exchange ideas and information by participating in periodic meetings.

Since you took part in the Operation, you have encountered many different cases up to now. What was the most interesting situation you encountered? How did you solve it?

At the beginning of July this year, in the noon hours, the electricity of the entire international terminal was cut off due to an unfortunate fire that broke out on the main power line feeding the terminal. Since the generator line was on the fire area line, it also became out of action, and when the ups were run out, the terminal was completely without electricity after a certain period of time. The repair, which we thought would take a short time, took too long time. At 6 pm, we immediately bought as many battery-powered LED lamps as we could find, estimating that the terminal would be completely dark and invisible after 2-3 hours. When it got dark, our stores were the only bright place inside the 95,000 square meter terminal, and our colleagues were at their job safely in their stores like a firefly.

There have been changes in the new world order depending on the Covid-19 process. What were the positive and negative effects of this period on our stores?

Of course, we were also affected by this situation. I don't want to talk about the negatives. Because I am sure that I will mention the topics where everyone has a common ground. Health, stress, future anxiety, Covid-19 applications etc.

It is also true that there are some gains that emerge when we look for the positive side. During this time, as a team, we discovered that our reflex to overcome the difficult days (by reacting in the name of stress) and risk management is very strong. I think the only thing that creates this is the strong corporate culture and sense of belonging. When I look at it from this perspective as the operations manager, I can say that I am very proud of my team. During this period, I witnessed that each of my colleagues in the operation took part in every duties voluntarily. Thanks again to my entire team. All my colleagues in the operation know that we are working in an institution where better days will be reached sooner than before when the hard times are over.

How many people does your team have? Can you describe your team?

In terms of being a seasonal operation, we form our staff differently from other operations. Our fixed staff consists of 29 people.

In the summer period, our staff is up to 140 people with our seasonal colleagues, according to our needs and goals. So every year 100 to 110 more people join us to work during the busy season. When November comes, we leave with these contracted friends. Working seasonally, this team spends all its energies on our operation during the peak tourism season. In this context, the work of each of them is very valuable. In support of the field operation wing, we have departments such as Human Resources, Logistics, Information Technologies, Administrative Affairs, Revenue, Order Planning, CCTV, Warehouse, and Corporate Communications in our administrative wing.

You were one of our most active operations during the summer period. Did you meet your expectations? Which categories are you most interested during this period?

I can say that we are proud of achieving our targets for this year. Because we are not talking about low numbers. Since this year is a period that Russian and Ukrainian nationality shares are high, we can say that we are faced with a sales mainly of Perfume and Cosmetics. If make-up and skincare products could be tested as before the pandemic, we could reach much larger turnovers. But you know that due to global Covid-19 measures, makeup and skincare tests cannot be done, unfortunately.

Besides, we are actually an operation in which cigarette and tobacco sales have a large share. However, in this period when the British destination was closed, unfortunately, we could not receive any contribution from this category.

Which nations have the highest potential to shop in your operation?

In general, England, Russia, Ukraine, respectively.

How many years have you been working at ATU? What did you gain from being a part of this structure?

I have been in the ATU family for over 20 years. That's a long time for a 45-year-old person. That's almost half of my life. In these 20 years, I fit Istanbul, Izmir, Alanya-Gazipasa and Milas-Bodrum Operations under the roof of ATU Company. I worked with very valuable people who lead me, and I still do. I have led very valuable people, and I still do. I had many good memories and friendships that still continue under the roof of ATU. And most importantly, I am happily married and have an energetic son.

ATU was present every day of the above 20 years of life summary.

If you were not in this position, in which department or sector would you like to work?

I do not find any other department under the roof of ATU, other than the duties attached to the operations wing, unattractive. Because the field dynamism keeps me alive.

When we think of different sectors, I would like to be a Lecturer at the University. I love communication-oriented tasks.