The failed coup attempt in Turkey last month has emboldened President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to crack down further on dissidents and spawned a concerted campaign to define July 15, 2016 as a turning point in Turkish history. State-run Turkish Airlines is doing its part by giving its incredible CIP lounge in Istanbul a brand new name.
Appearing in this month’s in-flight magazine–
Turkey went through a critical turning point on the night of July 15. We are still seeing the effects and consequences of this fateful night. This process revealed many things to us. Firstly, The Republic of Turkey, which has been a symbol of stability with its increasing influence in the region and the world, and its strengthening democracy, has the capacity to stand erect and will never lose this strength. Secondly, the people, who defeated this vile attempt that was aiming to undermine the parliament, its selected representatives and will, rallied upon our President H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s call and underlined the fact that democracy is the best way of administration for Turkey. Moreover, the resulting atmosphere of national solidarity and unity, as well as the rekindled patriotic feelings, reinforced our high hopes for a better future. In order to commemorate this historic day, we decided to change the name of our CIP Passenger Lounge at Atatürk Airport to “July 15 Heroes of Democracy Lounge.”
So the Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge is now called July 15 Heroes of Democracy Lounge.
M. İlker Aycı, Chairman of Board, continues–
I would like to thank the government officials, our heroic people, and our devoted personnel – from apron workers to cabin crews – who enabled us to continue our operations in a matter of hours following the attempt. I wish mercy from Almighty Allah for our noble martyrs.
Recent terrorist attacks in Turkey are decimating the tourism and airline industry that has been critical to the country’s growth. Increasingly sectarian and authoritarian, hopefully the government will not aid in turning away potential tourists.
Whether named “CIP Lounge” or “July 15 Heroes of Democracy Lounge” I believe the Turkish Lounge in Istanbul is the best business class lounge in the world. I love flying Turkish Airlines and encourage you to review my recent story on Turkish Airlines safety.
> Read More: Is it Safe to Fly Turkish Airlines?
If an opinionated WASP speaks some truth, once in a blue moon albeit, about another country and its policies… does anyone care?
As usual I agree with you. While I would fly THY and fly through IST despite recent incidents with regard to safety, I am less likely to do so due to this cheap propaganda stunt. Sigh…
Turkey is rapidly warranting a listing on my travel boycott list given the increasing issues with the regime in charge. Which is a shame, because it’s such a fascinating country. Glad I had a chance to visit twice while I did.
I’m pretty sure you all have this wrong. No one refers to the Business Class Lounge in the International terminal as the “CIP Lounge”. The “CIP Lounge” is in the domestic terminal. While this may be weird, I don’t think Turkish is trying to change anything on their outward facing side – just to reaffirm their support domestically….
@Herm: That is incorrect. There is signage throughout the int’l terminal directing to the “Turkish CIP Lounge”
Propaganda?
Turkish People willingly Stopped a Freaking COUP! and that is in order to save their democracy and democratically elected leader and government.
With what kind of a twisted mind you get from the international mainstream media that supports the terrorist coup attempt..
Shame.
These terrorists shot bombed and shelled the thousands of civilian citizens.
15 July; Its a historical turn of events in Turkey history.
And yet you guys are succumbed to head into the ANTI-Erdogan and ANTI-Turkey Propaganda.
Sorry but this is Absolutely rubbish.
Please take your head up from the dirty news around you and just listen,read what a wonderful thing Turkish People pulled off that night!
Thank you for making this point. People will call you crazy and not take you seriously for the passion apparent in your comment but your point is so important. People need to realise that it was a coup attempt, an attempt to subvert and destroy the way of life of the people. Turks are rightly proud and defensive of their republic and so many, including those at odds with Erdoğan and his politics were out in the name of its protection on the 15 July. Of course they should be commemorated somehow. Whether an airline lounge name is the right way to do that is up to you, though.
Erdogan’s illegitimate silencing of the free press and meddling in German politics is absolutely disgusting. I mourn for the autocratic and theocratic direction he is taking your great nation.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/19/germany-urges-spain-not-to-extradite-erdogan-critic-to-turkey
What a sham…