CHP Leader and Presidential Candidate Kılıçdaroğlu: "Atatürk Airport will be the Dynamo of our Aviation and Space Industry"

CHP Chairperson and Nation's Alliance Presidential Candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said, "I am here with the good news that will relieve your heart about an issue that has left a deep wound in the hearts of all of us. The topic is Ataturk Airport. Immediately after coming to power, we will transform Atatürk Airport into a centre of aviation and space studies. This centre, named after our ancestor who taught us that the future is in the skies, will be the dynamo of our aviation and space industry."

CHP Chairperson and Presidential Candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu made the following statements in the video he shared on his social media account with the note "Atatürk Airport":

"Hello my dear people; today, I want to address young people with your consent. Then, I will announce one of my life's most significant projects to young people today.

I am here for good news to refresh you about an issue that has left a deep wound in our hearts. The subject is Ataturk Airport. Many of us remember this airport as a place full of memories we use for domestic and international travels, where we say goodbye to our loved ones or welcome them. However, Atatürk Airport, formerly known as Yeşilköy Square, has an important place in the history of Turkish aviation. The roots of Yeşilköy go back to the Aeroplane School founded in 1911-12. The pioneers of Turkish aviation and the heroes of the War of Independence, Vecihi Hürkuş, Ahmet Ali Çelikten, Mehmet Fazıl Bey and many others were all trained at the Yeşilköy Aeroplane School. They destroyed the school where the names of the people used for propaganda were taught. Yeşilköy is where Turkish aviation and our air force, one of the most fundamental elements in the defence of our homeland, were born and grew up. The tactless broke the airstrips of such a place. They are using the other airstrips as a private airport for themselves. What a great country? Expel the people and usurp the airport for yourself.

Now let's come to the good news that will fundamentally change this sad picture. I wondered what would Atatürk want this place to be if he were alive? What would Atatürk's vision of aviation be like? Atatürk was always foresighted, Atatürk was a visionary, he always wanted better and further for the Turkish nation. If Atatürk were alive today, would he understand aviation only as aeroplanes? Of course not. He would prepare for the century of the future. He would not have allowed Elon Musk to colonise space on his own.

This is precisely what we will do in line with his vision. Immediately after coming to power, we will turn Atatürk Airport into a centre for aviation and space studies. This centre, named after our ancestors who taught us that the future is in the skies, will be the dynamo of our aviation and space industry.

So, with whom will we do this? This is indeed an important question and one that must be asked. For the establishment and development of the centre, we will work with Eren Özmen and Fatih Özmen, whose achievements are world-renowned and who are the owners of Sierra Nevada in the USA. Please, young people, go and type these names into Google and see what gems we have in this world. Space enthusiasts know that the SNC company, under the management of the Özmen family, has developed critical products and services in NASA's most important projects, and is a company worth billions of dollars in the United States, the world's aviation giant. This is how the Americans benefit from our sons and daughters, our brainpower. I spoke to them and invited them to do this. We will develop our shuttles. We will do this on these runways.

Oh, I have another dream. SNC company is also establishing habitats in space. Research is carried out in these habitats. For example, cancer research is being conducted in space. I dream that Canan Dağdeviren and Eren Özmen will work together in this field for Turkey. I have met with Canan Dağdeviren at MIT. Be sure to Google her; you will see and get to know her too.

We will do great, grand, and beautiful things, dear people. This Champions League will work for Turkey. And we will do this for you in this homeland that Atatürk entrusted you. My young friends, remember, we will do it for you. With this move, we will keep the brains going abroad in our country and start the spark of reverse brain drain.

Let me end by giving another exciting piece of information. The Dream Chaser space shuttle, one of the most critical products being developed by SNC, was used in the film The Martian in 2015. As a result, Turkey will also have its own Dream Chasers.

Let me also say that these will be state projects. Mr Kemal will never turn these into party propaganda. In our government, the state will be the state, and the party will be the party. So everyone will know their place.

I greet you with love and respect, my dear young friends."