Decarbonizing the Skies: A Multidimensional Analysis of Sustainable Aviation from the Perspective of Industry Executives in Türkiye

Abstract

This study investigates the environmental and economic dynamics of sustainable aviation through the perspectives of senior executives in Türkiye’s civil aviation sector. As global aviation continues to face increasing pressure to decarbonize, understanding how industry leaders perceive and respond to carbon emission challenges is critical. The research employs a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews with ten executives across airlines, airports, and aviation authorities. Using Python-based data mining techniques and thematic analysis, three core themes emerged: (1) sustainable aviation experience and economic dimensions; (2) carbon emissions reduction and efficient aviation systems; (3) sustainable energy and alternative fuel technologies. Findings reveal that while environmental sustainability is a growing concern, operational costs, technological constraints, and regulatory uncertainties significantly influence implementation. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of coordinated action among governments, industry, and international organizations, especially in scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) and enhancing infrastructure for electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft. The study concludes that achieving net-zero aviation by 2050 requires an integrated approach that balances technological innovation, policy incentives, and stakeholder engagement. This multidimensional insight contributes to the ongoing discourse on low-carbon transition strategies in aviation, offering policy-relevant implications for developing countries.

1. Introduction

The aviation sector, while enabling unprecedented global connectivity, is under mounting pressure to mitigate its environmental footprint, particularly carbon emissions, which account for approximately 2.5% of global anthropogenic CO₂ emissions [1]. When considering non-CO₂ effects—such as contrails and NO_X—the climate impact is even more substantial [2,3]. In this context, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), European Commission, and IPCC have set ambitious decarbonization targets, including a net-zero trajectory by 2050, supported by market-based measures like CORSIA and policy instruments under the European Green Deal [4,5,6,7]. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has similarly promoted net-zero targets, advocating for the integration of emerging technologies such as synthetic e-fuels as part of a broader decarbonization portfolio.

A cornerstone of these efforts is Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), which can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuels [8,9]. Numerous studies have evaluated SAF pathways including bio-based, synthetic, and waste-derived fuels, highlighting their scalability, feedstock sustainability, and lifecycle emissions [10,11]. Nevertheless, market uptake remains minimal due to high production costs [12], feedstock competition [13], technological readiness [14], and lack of harmonized incentives [15]. This has led scholars to emphasize the need for lifecycle analyses and multi-criteria decision frameworks to optimize SAF deployment [16,17].

Moreover, scholars have emphasized that SAF assessments must go beyond techno-economic criteria to include policy integration, stakeholder engagement, and social acceptance dimensions, particularly in regions with fragmented regulatory landscapes [18].

In parallel, alternative propulsion technologies such as battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell systems are gaining traction, particularly for short-haul aviation [11,19]. These technologies promise zero in-flight emissions but face critical limitations in energy density, aircraft range, infrastructure readiness, and certification challenges [20,21,22]. Hydrogen-powered aircraft, for instance, require major redesigns in storage systems and airport refueling logistics [23]. Moreover, their climate benefits vary depending on hydrogen production methods and regional energy mixes [24].

Aviation’s climate strategy also involves efficiency-enhancing measures such as aerodynamic improvements [25], air traffic management (ATM) modernization [26], lightweight composite materials [27], and electric taxiing [28]. Yet, even in aggregate, these approaches are insufficient to align aviation growth trajectories with Paris Agreement goals [29]. Scholars warn that absent transformational change, aviation could consume up to 27% of -the global carbon budget by 2050 [30].

Beyond technology, economic and policy considerations shape the trajectory of aviation decarbonization. Research has shown that policy alignment, financial incentives, and risk-sharing mechanisms are critical to accelerate green aviation investments [31,32]. The distributional consequences of decarbonization, such as fare increases and impacts on connectivity, are increasingly examined in terms of social justice and regional equity [2,33]. Moreover, climate action in aviation must consider the socioeconomic asymmetries between developed and emerging economies [34,35].

These asymmetries influence the speed and feasibility of policy adoption, with emerging markets often facing infrastructural deficits, lower institutional capacity, and limited fiscal space to support rapid transitions [36].

Türkiye, as a rapidly growing aviation hub linking Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, represents a compelling case. The country has ratified the Paris Agreement [37] and committed to a 2053 net-zero target [38], with increasing discourse around green airport certification [13], SAF adoption [39], and emissions measurement at major airports such as İstanbul, Dalaman, and Eskişehir [12,40]. Yet, empirical analyses reveal regulatory gaps [41], data asymmetries [42], technological lock-ins [43], and limited SAF infrastructure [44].

Despite Türkiye’s strategic positioning and rapid aviation growth, the national sector’s alignment with supranational frameworks like ReFuelEU Aviation and Fit for 55 remains uneven, and awareness among industry executives is not well-documented in the literature [32].

Although the global literature on sustainable aviation is expanding—spanning SAF [6,10,11], hydrogen [19,24], economic instruments [4,32], and regulatory design [7,45]—a critical blind spot persists regarding the perspectives of industry executives in emerging markets [46]. These stakeholders possess operational insights, institutional knowledge, and policy influence vital to contextualizing barriers, assessing feasibility, and identifying systemic misalignments [47,48]. Existing studies often lack grounded accounts of how senior managers perceive decarbonization mandates and interpret technological transitions within real-world constraints [49,50].

Furthermore, the methodological scope of stakeholder studies has often prioritized passengers and regulators, with limited empirical inquiry into the perceptions and strategies of executives who bridge operational implementation and policy compliance [46].

This gap is especially evident in Türkiye, where civil aviation stakeholders are expected to reconcile international climate obligations with domestic economic, infrastructural, and political realities [51,52]. While previous research has highlighted localized emission challenges [12,53], technology implementation difficulties [6,41], and the legal evolution of aviation environmental regulation [14,45], there is scant analysis of executive-level strategies and risk perceptions [54,55,56].

The present study addresses this void by conducting a qualitative, semi-structured interview study with ten senior executives representing airlines, airport operators, and regulatory authorities in Türkiye. Through data mining and thematic analysis, we identify three core themes: (1) sustainable aviation experiences and economic considerations; (2) carbon emissions mitigation through operational and technical measures; (3) alternative fuel and energy pathways. The study reveals nuanced tensions between environmental responsibility, cost constraints, and institutional readiness.

By applying a decision-maker-centered lens and integrating qualitative data mining with thematic interpretation, this study offers a structured stakeholder perspective that reveals misalignments, investment barriers, and contextual constraints unique to Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem [24].

Our findings contribute to the growing discourse on decarbonizing aviation in emerging economies by capturing decision-makers’ voices, which are essential for shaping actionable and locally grounded policy pathways. This research underscores the need for integrated approaches that combine technological innovation, stakeholder alignment, and policy coherence to make net-zero aviation by 2050 a tangible reality [57]. While this study focuses specifically on Türkiye, the themes identified may resonate with other emerging economies that face similar regulatory, infrastructural, and economic constraints. However, extrapolation should be approached with contextual sensitivity.

In doing so, it extends the current literature by offering empirically grounded, context-sensitive insights into executive reasoning, policy-practice gaps, and institutional readiness across one of the most dynamic aviation markets in the Global South [47].

2. Materials and Methods

This study adopted a qualitative research design to investigate how senior executives within Türkiye’s civil aviation sector perceive and navigate the multidimensional challenges of sustainable aviation. Emphasizing depth over breadth, the study sought to capture institutional knowledge and strategic perspectives that are often underrepresented in quantitative or passenger-focused analyses. This methodological approach was chosen to accommodate the complexity of executive decision-making under evolving regulatory, technological, and operational constraints.

2.1. Participant Selection and Profile

A purposive sampling strategy was employed to ensure representation of key stakeholders from various institutional contexts. Ten participants were selected based on their seniority, sectoral engagement, and strategic responsibilities within the aviation value chain. These included executives from airlines (both private and national carriers), airport operators (public and private), regulatory institutions, infrastructure companies, and aviation policy bodies.

Inclusion criteria were as follows:

• Holding mid-to-senior level executive or advisory roles in aviation-related institutions,
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience,
• Direct involvement in sustainability-related planning, implementation, or policy evaluation processes.

The aim was to ensure informed reflections on decarbonization efforts, technological transitions, and sectoral dynamics.

Table 1. Participant Profile.

Code	Institutional Affiliation	Position	Experience (Years)
E1	Airline (Private)	Chief Sustainability Officer	15
E2	Airport Operator (Public)	Director of Operations	22
E3	Civil Aviation Authority	Deputy Director General	18
E4	Aviation Consultancy	Senior Consultant	14
E5	Airline (National Carrier)	Fleet Manager	17
E6	Airport Operator (Private)	Sustainability Coordinator	12
E7	Ministry of Transport	Aviation Policy Advisor	20
E8	Aviation Policy Think Tank	Research Director	19
E9	Airport Infrastructure Firm	Technical Director	13
E10	Regulatory Compliance Agency	Environmental Compliance Officer	21

summarizes the participant profiles, demonstrating variation in institutional affiliation, role specificity, and years of experience, which ranged from 12 to 22 (median: 17.5 years). This heterogeneity enriched the dataset and allowed for triangulation across institutional viewpoints.

2.2. Data Collection

Interviews were conducted between February and April 2025, using a semi-structured interview protocol developed based on a preliminary literature review and aligned with ICAO’s Sustainable Aviation Framework. Each interview lasted approximately 45 to 75 min and was conducted either face-to-face or via secured video conferencing platforms, depending on participant preference and availability.

All interviews were conducted in Turkish, audio-recorded with participant consent, and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were subsequently translated into English for international dissemination and peer review purposes.

This study did not require formal ethical board approval, as confirmed by the Research Ethics Committee of Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, since it involved non-invasive interviews with professionals in their institutional roles and did not collect personal or sensitive data. All participants provided informed consent prior to the interviews, including approval for audio recording and the anonymized use of their data for research and publication.

The interview protocol included open-ended questions designed to elicit insights into:

• The current state of sustainable aviation practices;
• Perceived regulatory and technological constraints;
• Opinions on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs);
• Infrastructure preparedness for hydrogen and electric aircraft;
• Expectations from national and international policy coordination.

Participant demographics, including institutional roles and years of experience, are summarized in Table 1 (see Section 2.1).

2.3. Data Analysis

A Data were collected between February and April 2025 using a semi-structured interview protocol. This protocol was developed based on a preliminary review of peer-reviewed literature, the ICAO Sustainable Aviation Framework, and recent EU-level aviation decarbonization directives. This approach ensured alignment with both theoretical constructs and policy-driven imperatives relevant to sustainable aviation.

Interviews were conducted in Turkish, either in-person or via secure, encrypted video conferencing platforms, depending on participant preference and geographic location. Interview durations ranged from 45 to 75 min. All sessions were audio-recorded with prior informed consent and transcribed verbatim. To facilitate international peer review and dissemination, all transcripts were translated into English by professional translators to maintain semantic fidelity.

The semi-structured format allowed flexibility to explore participant-specific insights while maintaining thematic consistency across interviews. Core topics discussed included:

Institutional sustainability strategies;

Regulatory and technological bottlenecks;

Perspectives on SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) production and adoption;

Readiness for electric and hydrogen propulsion infrastructure;

Expectations from national and international policy mechanisms.

To ensure credibility and dependability, the study incorporated member checking with five participants to validate key interpretations. An audit trail was also maintained throughout the data processing stages. Thematic analysis followed a hybrid approach, combining:

Deductive coding based on prior academic and policy literature;

Inductive coding grounded in emergent insights from the dataset.

An initial codebook was collaboratively developed by two researchers and refined iteratively throughout the coding process. To enhance rigor, three transcripts were independently coded by both researchers, and discrepancies were resolved through discussion, ensuring intercoder reliability. Thematic saturation was achieved by the eighth interview, beyond which no new codes emerged.

To deepen insight and pattern recognition, the analysis incorporated visual outputs, including:

Theme frequency distributions;

Role-based thematic variations across participants;

Thematic co-occurrence mapping.

Visualizations were generated using Python3.10-based libraries (matplotlib (v3.8.2), seaborn (v0.13.0)) and NVivo’s 12 matrix coding tools. Among these, the co-occurrence heatmap (see Figure 1) visually represents how frequently specific themes were jointly referenced across interviews.

2.4. Illustrative Evidence

To capture the depth and nuance of executive narratives, selected quotations were used to illustrate key insights. For instance, participant E1 emphasized the economic limitations of SAF, stating:

We support SAF, but the procurement price is 3 to 4 times conventional fuel. Without fiscal intervention, scaling is impossible.

Similarly, participant E2 highlighted infrastructure deficits:

Hydrogen is promising, but our airports are not designed for it. Infrastructure is not just missing—it’s not even planned.

These insights illustrate the interplay between technological optimism and institutional constraint, underscoring the complexity of sustainable aviation transitions in emerging economies.

3. Results

This study explored the perspectives of ten senior aviation executives in Türkiye regarding the pathways, challenges, and dynamics of decarbonizing the aviation industry. Using thematic analysis supported by Python-based data mining tools and NVivo 12 software, three overarching themes were identified across the dataset: (1) Economic and Operational Realities of Sustainable Aviation; (2) Systemic and Infrastructural Constraints; (3) Technology Pathways and Strategic Ambiguities. These themes emerged through consistent patterns across diverse institutional roles, revealing nuanced tensions between ambition and implementation.

Initial codes were developed through a combined inductive–deductive approach, and two researchers independently coded the transcripts to ensure inter-coder reliability. Theme saturation was determined when no new codes or categories emerged during the final two interviews, indicating conceptual redundancy. The three main themes encompassed a range of subthemes, including regulatory misalignment, cost barriers, infrastructure readiness, and technological uncertainty.

Participant narratives illustrated both alignment with international sustainability goals and skepticism rooted in operational feasibility and economic limitations. Notably, thematic saturation was achieved by the eighth interview, and subsequent transcripts confirmed the robustness of the coded themes. These findings offer an empirical foundation to inform both policy development and organizational strategy within emerging market contexts, where aviation sustainability remains under-explored. Below, in Figure 2 the findings are elaborated upon with direct quotations, supported by visual representations of theme frequencies and a conceptual summary (Figure 2).

One of the most dominant themes pertained to economic viability, particularly regarding Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs). All but one participant emphasized that SAF, while critical for long-term decarbonization, is currently cost-prohibitive. The procurement cost of SAF was cited as a primary deterrent to widespread adoption:

We support SAF, but the procurement price is 3 to 4 times conventional fuel. Without fiscal intervention, scaling is impossible.

(E1—Chief Sustainability Officer, Airline)

Participants reported that airlines must make trade-offs between environmental responsibility and profitability, especially in price-sensitive markets like Türkiye. Cost–benefit misalignments were further aggravated by the lack of state subsidies, international funding, or carbon credit systems that could make SAF financially feasible for commercial use (

Table 2. Key Themes from Executive Interviews.

Theme	Frequency (n = 10)	Representative Quote
Economic Barriers to SAF Adoption	9	“Even with mandates, no airline can bear the cost alone without incentives.” (E5—National Carrier Manager)
Infrastructure Constraints	8	“Hydrogen is promising, but our airports are not designed for it.” (E2—Airport Operator)
Policy and Regulatory Fragmentation	10	“There’s no unified national aviation decarbonization strategy.” (E3—Civil Aviation Authority)
Technology Readiness for Hydrogen Fuel	7	“Hydrogen requires a different aircraft design—we are not even at the testing stage.” (E9—Technical Lead)
Local vs. Global Strategy Tensions	6	“Europe sets the pace, but Türkiye is always catching up.” (E7—Ministry of Transport Advisor)

).

Participants further emphasized the infrastructure deficit, especially for next-generation energy carriers such as hydrogen and electricity. While hydrogen-powered aviation was widely regarded as promising, the lack of airport refueling infrastructure, aircraft compatibility, and maintenance ecosystem were seen as formidable challenges. Airports in Türkiye, they noted, are not currently configured to accommodate hydrogen or electric aircraft systems:

“Hydrogen is promising, but our airports are not designed for it. Infrastructure is not just missing—it’s not even planned.”

(E2—Operations Director, Airport Authority)

The perception of regulatory fragmentation also emerged as a major theme. Many respondents acknowledged the ambition of the EU Fit for 55 package and the ICAO CORSIA framework, but lamented that Türkiye lacked a synchronized, actionable national strategy. Participants felt that policy decisions were reactive, fragmented across ministries, and disconnected from industry needs.

“Policies are fragmented. The EU has a roadmap, but Türkiye lacks a synchronized, actionable plan.”

(E3—Deputy Director, Civil Aviation Directorate)

Some executives also noted a lack of coordination between domestic aviation authorities, environmental regulators, and infrastructure planners. The absence of inter-agency communication was perceived as a key barrier to integrated implementation.

In discussing alternative propulsion systems, particularly hydrogen fuel cells and electric aircraft, the participants demonstrated awareness of global developments but voiced caution about feasibility within Türkiye (Figure 3). Some highlighted that even in Europe, such technologies are still in developmental or demonstration stages. In Türkiye, adoption would require a full transformation of ground infrastructure, training regimes, and regulatory approval mechanisms.

“We might see hydrogen aircraft in major European hubs by 2040, but in Türkiye it will likely take a decade longer.”

(E10—Environmental Compliance Officer)

Another salient dimension was the tension between global standards and local capacities. Executives acknowledged the pressures from global climate targets, especially the 2050 net-zero aviation goals, but questioned whether Türkiye’s aviation sector was institutionally and technologically prepared to meet them. Some noted that European frameworks often do not consider the specific economic and operational constraints of emerging aviation markets.

“It’s not just about emissions; it’s about energy security, job losses, and the cost of transition.”

(E4—Aviation Consultant)

Interestingly, several participants recommended a blended approach that includes near-term efficiency measures—like fleet modernization, improved air traffic management, and lightweight materials—while longer-term strategies for hydrogen and SAF gain maturity. Many believed that aviation decarbonization in Türkiye should follow a “leapfrog” logic, learning from international practices but tailoring implementations to local capacities.

In sum, the results underscore a multilayered reality: while sustainability is firmly on the agenda for Turkish aviation, the path forward is complicated by economic, infrastructural, and institutional asymmetries. Participants demonstrated a deep understanding of the environmental imperatives but also expressed a pragmatic realism regarding feasibility, timeframes, and trade-offs. Their insights suggest that policy coherence, targeted fiscal instruments, and infrastructure investment will be crucial for transforming ambition into action. Moreover, industry voices—often excluded from high-level policy formulation—should be integral to national decarbonization dialogues if Türkiye is to bridge its green aviation gap effectively.

4. Discussion

The findings of this study reveal a complex interaction between economic feasibility, technological readiness, and institutional coordination in achieving sustainable aviation in Türkiye. Similarly to previous international analyses emphasizing the multidimensional nature of aviation decarbonization [4,11,21,25], Turkish aviation executives demonstrated strong environmental awareness but expressed concern over structural and financial limitations that hinder implementation.

4.1. Economic Feasibility and Market Readiness

Across all interviews, the high cost of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) emerged as the primary obstacle to large-scale adoption. Participants reported that SAF procurement costs are three to four times higher than conventional jet fuel, a finding consistent with previous research on SAF price barriers [6,8,17,33]. Similar cost constraints have been observed in the Turkish context as well, where SAF adoption remains limited due to inadequate financial incentives and infrastructure investment [13,32]. Without government subsidies or fiscal mechanisms such as carbon credits, executives agreed that market-driven deployment remains infeasible. This echoes findings from aviation finance studies, which highlight that even with environmental mandates, investment remains dependent on economic feasibility and regulatory support [6,18].

This mirrors earlier conclusions that economic competitiveness, not only environmental benefit, determines SAF diffusion [11,32]. The lack of national blending mandates or fuel tax incentives reinforces the cost asymmetry between Türkiye and the EU market, which benefits from “Fit for 55” policy frameworks [19]. As one participant emphasized, “Without fiscal intervention, scaling is impossible,” confirming that policy instruments play a decisive role in enabling SAF investment [31].

4.2. Infrastructure and Technological Readiness

The second major barrier identified concerns infrastructure and technological readiness. Participants widely acknowledged the promise of hydrogen and electric aircraft, yet noted Türkiye’s airports are not equipped for such technologies. This reflects the broader infrastructural and certification challenges associated with hydrogen and SAF integration, particularly in countries with limited adaptation capacity [8,40,41].

As respondents pointed out, enabling hydrogen aviation requires airport redesign, safety certification, refueling systems, and workforce training, all of which remain underdeveloped. Even within Europe, large-scale hydrogen integration is expected only after 2035–2040 [40]; therefore, participants’ estimation that Türkiye might lag “a decade behind” reflects a realistic appraisal of local readiness. In Turkey’s case, delays are further compounded by insufficient airport modernization and lack of coordinated investment strategies [13,24]. This infrastructural gap demonstrates that technological maturity alone is insufficient—systemic policy coordination and investment are equally essential [25,28].

4.3. Policy Fragmentation and Institutional Coherence

A recurring theme was policy and regulatory fragmentation. Executives consistently stated that Türkiye lacks a unified national aviation decarbonization roadmap, resulting in overlapping mandates among ministries and limited industry consultation. This perception aligns with institutional analyses showing that inter-ministerial fragmentation undermines climate governance in Türkiye [14,42,43].

While the EU operates under cohesive policy instruments such as CORSIA and “Fit for 55” [4,20,28], Türkiye’s regulatory framework remains reactive rather than proactive. As one respondent (E3) summarized, “Policies are fragmented… there’s no unified national aviation decarbonization strategy”. Similar conclusions have been drawn by Pickard & Pasqualino [46], who stress that system-level integration is critical for achieving long-term climate targets.

4.4. Global–Local Tensions and Transition Justice

Another salient finding concerns the tension between global commitments and local realities. Executives recognized the urgency of aligning with ICAO’s 2050 net-zero target [25,29] but questioned the feasibility of doing so under domestic economic pressures. These concerns parallel findings from global sustainability studies emphasizing the uneven transition capacities between developed and emerging economies [21,34,35].

Participants linked decarbonization to broader socioeconomic issues such as energy security, competitiveness, and employment, echoing the just transition perspective advanced in sustainability literature [2,37]. This confirms that in emerging economies, aviation decarbonization must be pursued within a balanced framework that safeguards both environmental goals and economic resilience.

4.5. Integrating Technological Innovation and Policy Learning

Despite challenges, executives advocated for a “leap-frog” strategy—learning from global best practices while adapting solutions to local conditions. This mirrors Castillo Malagón’s argument [10] that developing economies can benefit from technological spillovers and global value chain reconfiguration in sustainable aviation.

Participants favored a phased approach combining short-term efficiency measures (e.g., fleet modernization, ATM optimization, lightweight materials) with long-term alternative fuel adoption, consistent with international decarbonization roadmaps [11,24]. This hybrid pathway aligns with ICAO guidance [26,27] and supports a gradual but pragmatic transition trajectory for Türkiye’s aviation sector.

5. Conclusions

This research provides a comprehensive and empirically grounded understanding of the multidimensional dynamics shaping the decarbonization of Türkiye’s aviation sector through the lens of senior industry executives. By employing a qualitative design supported by Python-based text mining and thematic analysis, the study captures the complex interplay between environmental aspirations, economic constraints, and institutional capacities that collectively define the feasibility of sustainable aviation transitions in an emerging market context. Findings demonstrate that while the commitment to sustainability is widely acknowledged across the sector, translating this ambition into practice remains hindered by systemic barriers—most notably the high cost of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), inadequate infrastructure for next-generation propulsion systems, and fragmented regulatory governance. The interviews reveal a consistent recognition that SAF represents the most viable medium-term decarbonization pathway; however, its large-scale deployment is constrained by price asymmetries, limited fiscal incentives, and the absence of a coherent national support framework. Similarly, while hydrogen and electric aircraft technologies hold significant long-term promise, Türkiye’s airports and regulatory systems are not yet positioned to accommodate these advancements, indicating a readiness gap that must be addressed through coordinated infrastructure investment, certification mechanisms, and workforce development.

A further critical insight emerging from the study is the perception of policy fragmentation and the lack of strategic alignment between aviation, energy, and climate institutions. Executives emphasized that Türkiye’s decarbonization journey requires a unified, long-term roadmap that integrates domestic objectives with international frameworks such as CORSIA and the European Green Deal. Without such coherence, policy implementation risks being reactive rather than transformative. Moreover, participants articulated concerns about balancing global climate obligations with local economic realities, underscoring the necessity for a just and equitable transition that safeguards competitiveness, employment, and energy security. This reflects the broader challenge faced by emerging economies, where environmental policy must coexist with developmental imperatives and market stability.

From a strategic perspective, the study concludes that the decarbonization of Türkiye’s aviation industry will depend on adopting a phased, integrated approach that combines short-term operational efficiency measures—such as fleet modernization, optimized air traffic management, and lightweight materials—with long-term transitions toward SAF, hydrogen, and electric propulsion technologies. A “leap-frog” strategy, where Türkiye builds on international best practices while tailoring implementation to its institutional and infrastructural context, could enable more efficient progression toward the 2050 net-zero target. Policy instruments, including fiscal incentives, research and development subsidies, and public–private partnerships, are essential to bridge the existing financial and technological gaps.

Ultimately, achieving sustainable aviation in Türkiye is not solely a technical challenge but a systemic transformation requiring strong governance, cross-sectoral collaboration, and sustained stakeholder engagement. The voices of industry executives captured in this study provide critical evidence for policymakers, highlighting that effective climate action in aviation must be grounded in the practical realities of operational feasibility and market behavior. By articulating these institutional perspectives, this research contributes novel, policy-relevant insights into how emerging economies can reconcile environmental responsibility with economic growth and technological advancement. In doing so, it lays a foundation for a more adaptive, inclusive, and innovation-driven pathway toward net-zero aviation, reinforcing Türkiye’s potential to serve as a regional leader in the transition to sustainable air transport.