First CEO of Turkish Airlines – Fesa Evrensev
The history of aviation in Türkiye is closely tied to the pioneering achievements of Mehmet Fesa Evrensev. Known as the first licensed Turkish pilot, Evrensev also became the first General Manager of the Turkish State Airlines Administration, the organization that later evolved into Turkish Airlines (Türk Hava Yolları).
His career spans the earliest days of aviation, from military flight training in Europe to leading the foundations of the national airline. Today, he is remembered as one of the most important figures in the development of Turkish aviation.
Early Life and Interest in Aviation
Mehmet Fesa Evrensev was born in 1878 in Istanbul, during the final years of the Ottoman Empire. After completing his military education, he joined the Ottoman Army, where aviation was beginning to emerge as a new and revolutionary technology.
At the beginning of the 20th century, aviation was still in its infancy. Recognizing its strategic importance, the Ottoman government began sending officers abroad to receive professional flight training.
Evrensev was among the first officers selected for this program.
Flight Training in France
In 1911, Mehmet Fesa Evrensev was sent to France to receive pilot training at the famous Blériot Flight School, founded by aviation pioneer Louis Blériot, who had become world-famous after crossing the English Channel by airplane in 1909.
After completing his training successfully, Evrensev earned his pilot certification in 1912, becoming the first certified Turkish pilot in aviation history.
On 26 April 1912, he performed his first flight in the Ottoman Empire. This historic event is widely recognized as the first flight by a Turkish pilot in Turkish airspace.
Today, 26 April is celebrated worldwide as “World Pilots’ Day.”
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Military Aviation Career
Following his training, Evrensev served as a military aviator, contributing to the development of early Ottoman and Turkish air forces.
He served during several major historical conflicts, including:
- The Balkan Wars (1912–1913)
- World War I (1914–1918)
- The Turkish War of Independence (1919–1922)
During World War I, Evrensev was captured by Russian forces and spent time as a prisoner of war in Siberia. After the war, he managed to return to Anatolia and continued serving during the Turkish War of Independence.
His experiences during these turbulent years made him one of the most experienced aviators of his generation.
The Birth of Turkish Airlines
In the early 1930s, aviation was rapidly transitioning from a military tool into a civil transportation network. Recognizing the importance of air transport for national development, the Turkish government established a state airline.
On 20 May 1933, the State Airlines Administration (Devlet Hava Yolları) was founded. This organization would later become Turkish Airlines, one of the largest airlines in the world today.
Shortly after its establishment, on 3 June 1933, Mehmet Fesa Evrensev was appointed as the first General Manager of the airline.
The First Fleet of Turkish Airlines
At the time of its creation, the airline was a very small organization.
The initial fleet consisted of five aircraft:
- 2 Curtiss Kingbird
- 2 Junkers F-13
- 1 Tupolev ANT-9
The airline initially employed around 30 personnel, including pilots, mechanics, and administrative staff.
Early domestic routes connected major cities within Türkiye, demonstrating the potential of air transportation for both passengers and mail services.
Under Evrensev’s leadership, the airline began establishing the organizational structure and operational practices that would form the foundation of Turkish civil aviation.
Legacy in Turkish Aviation
Although Mehmet Fesa Evrensev served as General Manager for just over a year, his contribution to Turkish aviation history is profound.
His legacy includes several historic achievements:
- Becoming the first licensed Turkish pilot
- Performing the first flight by a Turkish pilot in 1912
- Contributing to the development of early military aviation
- Serving as the first leader of Türkiye’s national airline
Today, Turkish Airlines operates flights to more countries than any other airline in the world, connecting hundreds of destinations across six continents.
The origins of this global airline can be traced back to the pioneering efforts of figures like Mehmet Fesa Evrensev.
Conclusion
From the earliest days of aviation training in Europe to leading the foundation of Türkiye’s national airline, Mehmet Fesa Evrensev played a central role in shaping the country’s aviation history.
His achievements as both a military pilot and aviation administrator place him among the most influential pioneers of Turkish aviation.
More than a century after his first flight, his legacy continues to inspire new generations of pilots and aviation professionals.
