The Turkish defense, security, aviation and aerospace industries have been undergoing a profound transformation over the past decades. The experience and emphasis on quality is evident among Turkish defense, security, aviation and aerospace companies as they undertake numerous endeavors, create products that are competitive worldwide, and assume important roles in international projects.

The defence & security & aviation & aerospace industry businesses face multifaceted legal challenges in a rapidly changing, fluid and reactive global environment.  The environment is highly competitive, and scrutinized. Compliance with strict liability laws and regulations is a central element of doing business in this environment.  Overlapping and sometimes conflicting jurisdictions heighten risk and require careful balancing of interests.

Defense Sector

Defense contractors operate at the interface of business and government and much of what they do, including their research and development, is both publicly funded and subject to tight security. Governments compete many defense contracts, but some are directly negotiated without competition, and so long-term relationships with government entities are critical. Defense industry disputes can be substantial, complex and involve such issues as procurement law, sovereign contracts, intellectual property and, often, international trade.

Security Sector

Security Sector includes all security sector institutions and structures whose duty it is to protect the society from crime, disorder and violence. This includes: the armed forces and their civilian staff, law enforcement agencies (police, gendarmerie, border management services, customs guards, coastguards, investigations, penitentiary services), commercial security (private sucurity or security companies), and intelligence services, as well as their civilian staff, educational and training establishments and corresponding logistical services. The objective is that the security sector is responsive to public needs and provides security as a public good. The security sector may also be argued to include regulated private entities with highly specified and limited roles related to protection of property and theft prevention.

Operators in the Security Services industry commonly provide guard and patrol services, in-transit cash and valuables protection and investigation and detective services. The industry provides security measures for businesses and public areas that have chosen to outsource security systems rather than take on the logistical burden of protecting their facilities themselves. 

Private security companies

The private and public security industry is a speciality area of law for us. We have a reputation as being the foremost knowledgeable law firm in Turkey regarding private security company matters. Our lawyers represent private security companies, alarm businesses, Private Patrol Operators, electronic surveillance companies, security system monitoring operations, executive protection specialists and all private security-related entities, and corporate security departments.

Aviation

Aviation has traditionally been one of the world’s fastest-moving sectors, combining technology, innovation, entrepreneurialism, economic development, infrastructure support, demographic growth, contribution to globalisation and more than a touch of glamour. Progress in this sector is impressive in its speed and diversified in its nature. After a number of years of encouraging growth, the covid-19 pandemic has of course had an unprecedented impact on the aviation industry. The aviation industry has, however, proved capable of meeting major challenges in the past and will no doubt do so again. Globally, the industry is expected to continue its recovery from the pandemic and to continue to expand.

Business Aviation

Business aviation has been booming. There is a possibility that business aviation has fundamentally changed, but recent increases in demand could also fall away upon airline recovery. There are signs that high net worth individuals and companies will want to continue to fly privately for safety reasons when travel restrictions are lifted but, as we all know, there is a big difference between wanting something and being able to afford it. Business aviation demand typically follows the economic cycle: we have never seen business aviation demand return quickly when businesses are struggling.

Over the years, Turkey has also emerged as an ideal place for civil aviation business. In 2018, the number of airline passengers increased to 210.2 million including 97.2 million international passengers, up from 34 million in 2004. The number of civilian aircrafts increased from 626 to 1,404 between 2003 and 2018, with airline fleet size increasing to 515, up from 162.

In the same period, the turnover in civil aviation reached USD 21 billion, up from USD 2.2 billion. Turkey is determined to position itself as a hub for civil aviation. A new airport has been constructed in Istanbul, and it is the largest airport in the world with a capacity of 200 million passengers per year and flights to nearly 350 destinations.

Significant Transformation

Over the past ten years, Türkiye’s civil aviation sector has experienced significant transformation, allowing private companies to offer scheduled domestic flights. As air travel has become more affordable and accessible, both within Türkiye and internationally, it has seen a dramatic rise in passenger numbers, with many people opting for air travel over traditional ground transportation. This increase has been further supported by the construction of new airports and the expansion of existing ones across numerous Turkish cities. Internationally, Istanbul has established itself as a major aviation hub, owing to its strategic location bridging the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Middle East, which has driven a rapid surge in transit traffic.

Licensed Airline Operators

Türkiye is currently home to 14 licensed airline operators. The largest among them is Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier owned by the state. It also operates a low-cost subsidiary, formerly known as AnadoluJet and now rebranded as AJet. Prominent rivals include Pegasus Airlines and SunExpress, both of which offer extensive domestic and international routes. Other international players include Corendon Airlines and Freebird Airlines. Tailwind Airlines, although not operating scheduled services, specializes in charter flights, serving other airlines as a niche operator. The sector has recently welcomed four new entrants with smaller fleets. In the cargo sector, ACT Airlines, MNG Cargo, and ULS Cargo operate a combination of scheduled and charter cargo flights, also offering wet lease cargo capacity to other carriers.

Istanbul International Airport, which began operations in October 2018, has received international recognition and is equipped to handle large passenger volumes with ease. In 2023, it served 76 million passengers, maintaining its status among the top ten busiest airports globally. Antalya Airport, located on the Mediterranean coast, is the second-busiest in Türkiye by passenger numbers, with heavy traffic during the summer tourism season driven mainly by tour operators. Nationwide, scheduled flights connect approximately 40 airports.

Legal Framework

Türkiye’s primary legal framework governing civil aviation is the Civil Aviation Act of 1983. This comprehensive legislation covers all facets of aviation, including regulatory oversight, safety standards, accident investigations, operator and airport licensing, crew certification, operational procedures, liability issues, air transport contracts, aircraft property and registration rights, and insurance. Recent amendments have introduced regulations for unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), operating under the Ministry of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communication, serves as the main regulatory authority for the aviation sector. It exercises broad oversight powers as granted by the Civil Aviation Act.

Airport slot allocations at fully coordinated airports follow regulations set forth by the State Airports Administration, in alignment with EU Council Regulation No. 95/93, which governs slot allocation practices.

Türkiye’s rapid growth in air traffic has made it a desirable destination for aircraft manufacturers and financial institutions. The country ratified the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment in December 2011, simplifying the leasing and financing process for aircraft. Under this international treaty, lessors now have clearer rights to repossess, deregister, and export leased aircraft without needing lessee consent — a process that previously required time-consuming court proceedings if contested.

Much of Türkiye’s civil aviation legal and regulatory framework mirrors that of the European Union, ensuring broad alignment with EU standards, principles, and operational requirements.

Aviation Lawyers

Our aviation lawyers have a thorough understanding of the sector and advise on aviation liabilities, air transport regulation and fleet procurement, aviation finance, as well as all relevant areas of commercial, corporate and competition law.

We represent air carriers, airports, business and private aircraft owners and operators, airport vendors, aircraft manufacturers and other aviation and aerospace industry clients on a full range of legal issues. We also represent clients in their dealings with the Turkish Aviation Administration and other regulatory authorities, and we advise trust and non-trust clients regarding legal issues bearing on domestic and international operations, certifications and maintenance of the aircraft. Our experience and client focus gives us a unique depth of understanding of the aviation and aerospace industries.

New technologies

Defence, security aviation and aerospace are being transformed on an unprecedented scale, and at an unprecedented pace, by the opportunities and challenges presented by new technologies such as the Internet of Things, Big Data, advanced analytics, cloud computing, blockchain and AI. Our expertise in these technologies means we understand the issues facing you and can provide you with the legal support you need to solve them.

Complex and comprehensive law

The laws and regulations surrounding national security and domestic security, aviation and aerospace are both complex and comprehensive yet also unpredictable and difficult to manage. Consider placing an attorney on your legal team to guide you through the legal and regulatory uncertainty.

We offer representation to government contractors of all sizes, including some of the largest aerospace, defense and security contractors, as well as midsize and small businesses.

If you would like any further information or need advice on aviation, aerospace, defense and security matters, then please do not hesitate to contact our legal team.