ISG's "In Sabiha Gökçen's Footsteps" Series Hosts Hürriyet Munanoğlu

The third meeting of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (ISG) International Airport's traditional "In the Footsteps of Sabiha Gökçen" motivation series took place with the participation of Hürriyet Munanoğlu, Turkey's first female pilot to fly supersonic. 

At the event bringing together female leaders in the sector, the transformative power of solidarity and courage in aviation was emphasized. 

At the third meeting of the lecture series organized under the motto "In the Footsteps of Sabiha Gökçen," legendary pilot Retired Major Hürriyet Munanoğlu, sharing her experiences in her career journey in candid terms, drew attention to the critical importance of female solidarity in aviation. 

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (ISG) International Airport continues to keep alive the vision of Sabiha Gökçen, the iconic figure of the Republic era from whom the airport takes its name. The latest guest of the "In the Footsteps of Sabiha Gökçen" series, held in the terminal building and bringing together female executives from public institutions, business partners and stakeholder organizations in the airport ecosystem, was legendary pilot Retired Major Hürriyet Munanoğlu.

ISG demonstrates a stance well above global averages with 50 percent female leadership ratio
Dr. Aslıhan Güven, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at ISG, who opened the event with her remarks, shared current data on female representation across aviation in general according to global reports, emphasizing ISG's pioneering role in this field.

"While female representation in the aviation sector generally ranges between 26-30 percent, we see that the concentration is still in ground services and cabin crew roles. Globally, only 6 percent of commercial pilots are women, while in technical and maintenance fields this figure unfortunately drops to the 3-4 percent range. In terms of female representation in leadership, aviation sector also experiences 'glass ceiling' resistance, but we also observe change movements. Women comprise 10 percent of CEO positions and approximately 18 percent of senior management. Within such a picture, Sabiha Gökçen Airport, befitting its name, demonstrates a stance well above global standards with 50 percent female members in its senior management. The impact area of women in aviation extends far beyond their numbers. Our mission is to make this unique vision visible and guide new generations. We will continue to keep alive the vision inherited to us from Sabiha Gökçen, carry forward the inspiring stories of women succeeding in aviation to the future, and strengthen this platform for female solidarity in the sector." she said.

Güven, emphasizing that the "In the Footsteps of Sabiha Gökçen" meetings have created strategic awareness in strengthening female presence in the sector, expressed satisfaction at seeing the concrete and positive reflections of this initiative. Güven stated, "We will continue to expand this synergy day by day with experience sharing from successful names in our sector. Today we witnessed firsthand the unwavering stance behind the achievements that Hürriyet Munanoğlu has obtained as both a soldier and a pilot in a sector that appears male-dominated. I find it extraordinarily valuable that with her role as an educator as well, she transforms these experiences from mere memories into motivation and information sources for young generations. Hürriyet Hanım is the embodiment of the approach we are trying to convey through the 'In the Footsteps of Sabiha Gökçen' meetings; we are grateful to her for her contributions to our country and her guidance," he said.

Aslıhan Güven also emphasized their commitment to continuing this inspiring series with female role models who shape the aviation world.

"Even a small step is an act of courage"
Retired Major Hürriyet Munanoğlu, Turkey's first female pilot to fly supersonic, who was a guest at the discussion portion of the meeting, emphasized that with the experience she has gained, she now coaches and mentors, and is striving to serve humanity following service to the country. 

Recalling that military academies did not admit female students from 1960 to 1992, Hürriyet Munanoğlu said, "When we, as 13 female students, first entered the Air Force Academy in 1992 with the new decision, there were as many who believed in us as there were those who discouraged us. We are flag bearers. As the third generation, we carried the flag we inherited from Sabiha Gökçen. We worked thinking that we must do this so that this work continues. In a field where men worked one unit, we needed to exert 5-10 times more effort. We felt the great responsibility of being first". 

"Breaking the sound barrier is a metaphor, the real issue is transcending limits"
Munanoğlu, referring to how breaking glass ceilings that appear as obstacles for women has become much easier today compared to the difficulties encountered during training and service periods, said, "As Turkey's first female pilot to fly supersonic, I can say this: breaking the sound barrier is a metaphor. There is nothing we physically feel there. There is only proof from indicators that we exceeded the speed of sound. Its reflection in our lives is transcending limits. Life sometimes requires moving forward by ignoring rather than thinking about the existence of a glass ceiling and surpassing it. When I first flew at age 17 before entering the Military Academy, I wanted to be in the sky. When I graduated, I wanted to be a pilot. And I wanted to do the work I was doing to the best. Therefore, I served in the Air Force as a jet pilot for many years."

Munanoğlu, emphasizing that it is not realistic to expect everyone's support on the path to success, stated that the resistance she faced created "reverse psychology" in her, increasing her motivation: "If we had been crushed under the pressure created by those saying 'What are you doing here?', we would not be where we are today. Such statements will confront us at every stage of life; what matters is being able to continue on the path with determination despite all this."

Munanoğlu, emphasizing that women can achieve a more equitable representation rate at every level in the sector by supporting each other, redefined the concept of courage: "Courage is being able to take a step despite uncertainty and unease. Do not wait for a grand moment of heroism; the smallest step taken to move forward is the greatest act of courage."

First meeting took place in the Republic's 100th year
The first of the "In the Footsteps of Sabiha Gökçen" series initiated by ISG was held with the participation of Elif Güveyler, one of Turkey's successful captain pilots and Kuwait's first female captain pilot who entered the country's history. The second meeting, organized on 8 March World Women's Day and World Aviators Women's Week last year, featured Hatice Nur Gündoğdu, Turkey's and Europe's first and only female Gyrocopter pilot, as speaker.