Nöbetçi Eczaneler
Although interest in aviation among women in Turkiye remains relatively low, Dicle fell in love with aviation many years ago. Her mission has always been to see more women enter the field.
As Aviationext, we interviewed Dicle Yürür—because to us, she’s already a legend.
What about you? Have you forgotten Dicle?
We asked her 8 questions, and she graciously agreed to support us. Without further delay, let’s hand it over to her…
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I was born on July 14, 1963 in Istanbul. I completed my secondary and high school education at Etiler High School, and studied English at Basil Paterson College. I’m a graduate of the English Language Teaching Department at Marmara University.
Where and when were you born? Can you tell us about your family?
We are a small, close-knit family. I have one brother. My father, Mustafa Yürür, was a former football player for Galatasaray Sports Club and served for many years on both the Turkish Military Team and the Turkish National Team. My family consists of hardworking, resilient individuals who never give up under any circumstances and who value responsibility and adaptability.
My parents raised us with great care. They instilled in us values like honesty, integrity, conscience, and compassion, always encouraging us to be good citizens for our country and nation.
When did you enter the aviation industry?
I started working in the aviation sector in 1986. My first job was with British Airways as a Passenger and Sales Services Agent. Later, I worked as a specialist and Corporate Communications Manager at Turkish Airlines, and then at Atlasglobal, where I held several senior roles, including Head of Corporate Communications and Customer Relations. I left the aviation industry in 2012.
How did your journey in aviation begin?
While I was still at university, one day a friend and I were heading to get our graduation photos taken. The bus stopped at Elmadağ, and I happened to look over and saw the British Airways city office. I turned to my friend and said, “I want to work in a place like that and have a career like this.”
One year after graduation, I went to England and enrolled in a postgraduate aviation program. That journey was incredibly challenging for me, filled with exams and demanding academic years, but I completed it successfully and earned certifications endorsed by British Airways.
After returning to Turkey, I applied to British Airways. I first worked at Atatürk Airport in passenger services, and later in the city office.
In 1986, I became one of the first two people in Turkey with a graduate degree in aviation (excluding pilots and flight attendants). The second was also a woman, and we worked in the same company for many years. At the time, our foreign general manager expressed great support for seeing us advance through every level of the profession.
Aviation has always been a passion for me, and I pursued my career with love and dedication.
When was your first flight?
My first flight was as a child, when my father transferred to Mersin İdman Yurdu. We flew from Istanbul to Adana.
What’s your most interesting memory in aviation?
When I started working at British Airways in 1986, I was very young and inexperienced. During one flight, despite repeated announcements, one passenger was missing. When we finally checked the men’s and women’s restrooms, we found the passenger nearly unconscious due to a drug overdose. It was deeply upsetting—he was so young. That incident really affected me.
What are your hopes for the future of aviation?
What I want to see in the future of aviation, especially in our country, is more economic accessibility. Globally, I hope the sector moves toward being more eco-friendly, sustainable, and ecologically responsible.
Who is your female role model?
Marie Curie, Clara Zetkin, Sabiha Gökçen, Afife Jale, Halide Edip Adıvar, and Türkan Saylan. I had the chance to meet Türkan Saylan in person.
At a young age, she traveled to the most remote parts of the country and took care of children, the future of our nation. She provided them with education and support. As a physician, she also helped countless patients. She truly made a difference.
