TAV Group CEO Sani Şener: The number of x-ray body scanners to be reduced to one at airports, passengers to go through fingerprint scanning TAV Group CEO Sani Şener stated that they obtained approval on the implementation of fingerprint scanning and removal of the x-rays at the main entrances at the airports in order to reduce congestion at the control points and confirmed that trail runs would be initiated very soon. Speaking during the meeting where TAV Groups vision and mission were reviewed, Şener explained that they had so far operated in Turkey and regions close to Turkey despite having global partners. Highlighting the development in the sector in Turkey since 2000 such as the increase in the volume of the commercial fleet from 162 to 385, the number of employees from 65 thousand to 167 thousand and the number of domestic and international destinations from 26 and 60 to 52 to 236 respectively, Şener said Transportation Ministrys liberalization policy and privatization policy relating to airports have paved the way for this. Şener indicated that regions like China and Africa would see the biggest growth in the sector, taking into consideration the low figures as far as the passenger parameters per person in the world. Şener said that although this figure in Turkey had increased from 0.49 in 2000 to 1.94, it was still very low and continued In other words, Turkey will see this growth too, saying that it is easy to anticipate the future in our sector. We anticipate that this parameter will comfortably increase to 3 in Turkey. In Europe, it varies between 2.5 and 3. Reminding that TAV currently operates 14 airports, 5 of which are in Turkey and 9 overseas, Şener said that they had also founded service companies and there was no airport in the world with an organization consisting of all these service companies. Addressing to the local and overseas partnerships of TAV Airports, Şener also said Business is a game. Like sports; the only difference is the number of winners. In sports there is one winner, however in business there can be more than one winner. We adopted a strategy where we grow by sharing however; you need to be speaking the same language in order to be partners with these firms. You need to be catering for their culture, know-how and knowledge.” Şener said that TAV Airports switched from the regional league to global league as a result of the development it achieved during the past 14 years and explained the position TAV Airports reached in figures:Our turnover has increased from 145 million dollars to 1.6 billion dollars while the number of passengers has increased from 10 million to 84 million. The number of our employees has increased from 1314 to 23,706 while our EBITDA has grown 24 times from 22 million dollars to 517 million dollars. Şener also explained that TAV Construction had completed 16.3 billion dollars worth of projects so far with other ongoing projects under its belt and become the worlds second largest airport construction company. Stating that TAV Airports has not grown beyond its financial operation and competencies, Şener described this as smart growth. Şener said We have never pursuit for a growth that is beyond our financial capabilities. We wanted to achieve a healthy growth. We focused on becoming the best rather than the biggest. Şener said that TAV achieved a significant synergy with Turkish Airlines (THY) and highlighted the increase in the number of THYs flights and passengers at locations where TAV operated. Reminding that TAV has the operation right for Atatürk Airport until 2021, Şener said that Atatürk Airport would be shut down and losses would be compensated by the State Airports Authority (DHMI) in the event that the 3rd airport opened prior to that date and TAV would continue operating Atatürk Airport in a contrary situation. Şener said that DHMI was working in a way that they would invest in Atatürk Airport even up to one day before the opening of the 3rd airport and continued Her is what I know; Our contract for Atatürk Airport expires in 2021. Up till now, we have been working to increase the capacity of Atatürk Airport to 65-70 million. Because THY is rapidly growing. Stating that they continue to increase the efficiency of Atatürk Airport in collaboration with DHMI, Şener said that an additional 43 parking lots would be created in the areas where the military hangars and cargo and ground handling services facilities were located at Atatürk Airport, increasing the existing number of 99 parking lots to 142. TAV is going through a transformation with its 50 thousand employees. Şener said that the turnover they made in Istanbul corresponded to 44 per cent and the profit before interest and tax corresponded to 55 per cent of all airports TAV operates, and added: This means we added another Istanbul to a major value like Istanbul. In other words, after we lose Istanbul in 2021, one of our flagships will sail but another one will be mooring. The number of passengers in these airports is 38 million. In 2011, we have reached to 38 million passengers, which is equal to the one in Munich Airport. This means we have created an Istanbul for the past 7 years; therefore we can create another Istanbul for the next 7 years. As we make our flagship retire, we must create another one. Reminding that TAVs sale of shares to the French Aeroports de Paris (ADP) two years ago has brought approximately 1 billion dollars to Turkey, Şener said Together with ADP, we are operating 38 airports and serving 272 million passengers. We are creating a significant growth by complementing each other. With 38 airports and 272 million passengers, TAV-ADP has established the largest airport operation platform in the world. Saying that, we only have 14 per cent of the global market. There is a larger market which is the rest of the 86 per cent. Şener said that TAV Airports was very good in airport operations and construction, yet they wanted to grow in retail, food & beverage, security, IT and training too, where they had service companies in these sectors. Şener continued: The turnover of these companies we have is around 400-500 million Euros. We are now expanding to other markets in these sectors. Until now, these companies had only been providing service to TAV. They need to do business outside TAV. Different work must be done from now on. For example, our IT Company has bid for tenders worth of 1 billion dollars in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Doha. Our training company is providing service to the executives of 25 airline companies in China. Similarly, Nepal and Mongolia has applied to them to get training. ATU is bidding for two airport tenders in New York and Washington as well as in other countries. Briefly, TAV is going through a transformation with its 50 thousand employees. Besides our service and contracting companies, we are expanding the services of our companies operating in other sectors to the global market. Upon another question, Şener said that the investment value of the new aircraft parking zone at Atatürk Airport was 100 million Euros and the investment would create additional capacity for another 10 million passengers. Şener also said that negotiations were continuing with DHMI therefore they had not yet started the work. Addressing the improvement of the ground services, Şener said that their priority was the problems they were experiencing in passport control points. Stating that they had already obtained approval from the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the implementation of fingerprint scanning, aka Smartgate or e-gate, Şener said that they would start the trail practice very soon. First, you will show your passport, the gate will open. Then you will enter, your fingerprint will be scanned and you will pass through. As fingerprints are obtained during the process of issuing passports, those fingerprints will be in the system. This will reduce the problems in passport controls significantly. The system is available in Arab countries including Abu Dhabi and Qatar; they use both card and fingerprint system.” Şener said that fingerprint scanning would be available both in the entrance and exit and for Turkish citizens only. Answering another question about the congestion at the x-ray points at the airports, which are repeated twice, Şener said: A decision was taken at the National Civil Aviation Council. We are in the process of implementing the system in Izmir and Ankara. The x-ray body scanners will be removed at the main entrance. The practice will then be implemented in Istanbul. The practice will be in place as soon as possible.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 18:32:09 +0000
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