June 16 2023  |  Airline & Terminal News

Turkish Airlines celebrates its 90th anniversary

By Reedah Hayder

A screenshot of the “90 Years of Dreams” commercial

Turkish Airlines marked its 90-year milestone with a captivating cinematic production that takes viewers on a nostalgic journey through time. From its beginning in 1933 with just five aircraft and a small staff, the airline has evolved into a global force, operating an impressive fleet of 418 aircraft, serving 344 international destinations, and employing a workforce of 82,000 individuals along with its growing number of subsidiaries.

“Today, Turkish Airlines is one of the most valuable brands in our country and the World,” said Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Ahmet Bolat, in a June 12 press release. “What brought us to this day is our values and the support of our 82,000 employees on our journey. This film, which is a tribute to each of our building blocks, tells the story of our 90-year journey from a different perspective. We are also proud to accomplish something that we can be proud of on the 90th anniversary of Turkish Airlines and the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye.”

The film, crafted by Tribal Worldwide Istanbul advertising agency, paints a vivid portrait of Turkish Airlines’ remarkable evolution. The movie commences with the historical moment when Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the visionary leader, signed the establishment document for the airline. The scene seamlessly transitions to an aircraft taking off in 1933, only to soar through time and land triumphantly in Istanbul in the present year of 2023, far exceeding the original destination. As viewers watch the film, it becomes evident that the airline’s ambitions and dreams from years ago have been far surpassed over the past nine decades.

The film’s director, Serdar Dönmez, helmed the project, capturing the essence of Turkish Airlines’ illustrious history. Accompanying Dönmez was cinematographer, Danish Kasper Wind, whose artistry brought the story to life on the silver screen.

A life-size replica of the Curtiss Kingbird D2 model aircraft, one of Turkish Airlines’ inaugural planes, was meticulously built for this production. The replica, weighing approximately 1.7 tons, with a wingspan of 17 meters, a length of 11 meters, and a height of 4 meters, was constructed over a span of two months. To capture the airborne scenes featuring the replica aircraft, cutting-edge CGI technology was employed, adding a touch of modernity to the captivating tale. Following its role in the film, the replica is set to be showcased as a cherished memento within the Turkish Airlines headquarters’ premises.

Watch the “90 Years of Dreams” commercial here:

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