iGA Istanbul Airport and Airbus forge strategic training partnership

iGA Istanbul Airport has signed a landmark strategic cooperation agreement in aviation training with Airbus, the industry’s global pioneer. The new partnership positions the airport as Airbus’s first direct training partner among airport operators and will strengthen Istanbul’s role as a premier global center for aviation education and development.

Bridging operational excellence with technical expertise

As part of the dedicated training and development center, iGA Academy, this collaboration merges Airbus’s deep technical expertise with iGA’s robust on-site learning ecosystem. Within the agreement, new regional training programs will be delivered at iGA Istanbul Airport which combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience across one of the world’s busiest operational environments.

The agreement marks a new milestone for Turkish civil aviation and reinforces iGA’s vision for global competency and leadership transformation, which will solidify iGA Academy’s status as a global knowledge production center. It was signed this month by Selahattin Bilgen, CEO of iGA Istanbul Airport, and Adam McGonigal, CEO of Airbus Beyond, which has over 30 years of experience in developing aviation talent.

Highlighting the significance of the partnership, Selahattin Bilgen, ceo of IGA Istanbul Airport, said:

“Although we’re a global hub, we’ve never really defined ourselves as only ‘transportation infrastructure.’ Our ambition is to be a center that teaches, evolves and contributes directly to the advancement of the aviation sector. iGA Academy is key to this vision and our agreement with Airbus will create a unique ecosystem where practical theory meets operational reality. We’re committed to upskilling our teams so that the future of our industry will be shaped not just by infrastructure, but by stronger human talents.”  

Adam McGonigal, ceo of Airbus Beyond, added

“The aerospace industry has always been about connecting people. This partnership with iGA Istanbul Airport focuses precisely on the ‘human connection’ at the heart of learning. We’re honored to sign this game-changing agreement and ensure that the next generation of leaders possess the competencies required to drive our industry forward.”

An Award-Winning Training Legacy

iGA Istanbul Airport’s commitment to education is backed by prestigious international accolades. iGA Academy holds the “Platinum/Training Center of Excellence” accreditation from ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and is recognized as an “Accredited Training Partner” by ACI World.

In September 2025, iGA became the first in Europe to reach “Level 5” in the ACI Airport Customer Experience Accreditation, with iGA Academy receiving a special award for its sustainable training model.

iGA Academy by the Numbers:

• 20,000+ Training sessions: conducted to enhance employee skills.
• 95% Satisfaction: consistently high satisfaction rates among participants.
• Social Impact: every ₺1 invested in international training yields a social benefit of ₺2.51.
• Global Reach: Through “Sister Airports” and staff exchange programs, iGA hosts international professionals while sending its own experts abroad for global experience.

With a network serving over 100,000 local and international participants, iGA Academy continues to lead the way in cultivating the experts who will shape the future of global aviation.