Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Four fetuses and three premature babies died at Nasser Medical Complex due to malnutrition
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected

Bayraktar slams Kilicdaroglu who promised Airport to US company

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen Net
  • 29 Apr 2023 18:06
3 Min Read

Khalouk Byaraktar, CEO of Baykar Technology, criticizes the Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, accusing him of overlooking Turkish companies in favor of US Sierra Nevada.

  • x
  • Kemal Kilidaroglu, leader of the  Republican People's Party (CHP) speaks at a press conference in Ankara, Turkey, 11 October 2021. (Reuters)
    Kemal Kilidaroglu, leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) speaks at a press conference in Ankara, Turkey, 11 October 2021. (Reuters)

A statement by Turkish opposition leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu has sparked controversy on Social Media after he announced that he would contract US company Sierra Nevada to develop Ataturk Airport, provided he comes out victorious in the upcoming Turkish Presidential elections. 

Kilicdaroglu posted a video on his Twitter account promising Turkish voters that he would transform Ataturk Airport into a center for aviation and space studies while promoting the foreign Sierra Nevada as the corporation to carry the process out. 

This announcement prompted criticism from Khalouk Bayraktar, CEO of defense company, Bykar Technology. The Turkish businessman questioned the opposition leader's statement on Haberturk TV, saying, "What do you mean when you say you will give up this place (Ataturk Airport) to a company that deals directly with the CIA? The American company adheres to American rules."

Bayraktar pointed to the vast amount of Turkish companies that could take on such a project, questioning Kilicdaroglu's decision to select a US-based company instead of the "10,000 companies" companies in Turkey.

Bykar technology produces Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle which is primarily used by the Turkish Army and sold to militaries all around the world. Its CEO posted a picture on Twitter in response to Kilicdaroglu's plans showing the massive crowds at the TEKNOFEST event which features multiple Turkish aviation companies, held annually at the Ataturk Airport.

Related News

CHP rallies tens of thousands in Ankara against 'judicial coup'

Turkey seizes 3 TV channels amid fraud probe into parent company

Milyondan fazla gencin yarıştığı, dünyanın en iyisi Milli Teknoloji Projelerinin sergilendiği TEKNOFEST’e ev sahipliği yapan Atatürk Havalimanı’nı ABD’li bir şirkete verme fikri…

Halen “en iyisini” Türklerin değil de ABD şirketlerinin yapabileceğini zannetmek…

Nuri Demirağ’ın… pic.twitter.com/0UL1EAMaDA

— Haluk Bayraktar (@haluk) April 27, 2023

Bayraktar believes that it is in the best interest of Turkey to promote national companies instead of relying on foreign corporations which he accused of being affiliated with the CIA.

Kilicdaroglu quote retweeted Bayraktar, urging the businessman to not be "so politicized", underlining that the tech tycoon is valuable to Turkey. The Republican People's Party's (CHP) leader warned the CEO of being utilized as a "propaganda tool" by the Erdogan-led Justice and Development Party (AKP), as the 2023 Turkish elections near closer.

The CHP presidential candidate said there will be "enough room" for Turkish entrepreneurs to invest and operate in the country.

Bu kadar siyasallaşmayın Sevgili Haluk Bey. Siz ailece bizim için çok değerlisiniz. Bir partinin seçim propagandası olmak size yakışmaz. İstikbalde başarılı bütün Türk girişimcilerimize yer var. Uzay hepinize yetecek kadar geniş. https://t.co/KhHoM1QUen

— Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu (@kilicdarogluk) April 28, 2023

Kemal Kilicdarogu, 74, is expected to put up a fierce fight against Erdogan who has rotated top governmental positions in the country since 2003, as the opposition leader heads a coalition of parties aiming to end Erdogan's run in Turkey on May 14.

Read more: Turkish Elections 2023: Resurrecting Ataturk or the Empire?

  • Turkey
  • Bayraktar
  • Ataturk Airport
  • TB2 Bayraktar
  • Sierra Nevada
  • CIA

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on Friday, September 27, 2024 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' stops unfunded diplomacy ahead of UN, October 7 memorial

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet releases flares over the Gaza Strip, is seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

OIC summit draft: Israeli attack on Qatar risks normalization

People shout slogans and hold Palestinian flags while protesting during the twenty-first stage of La Vuelta cycling race from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP)
Sports

Pro-Palestine protests force abrupt end to Vuelta a España finale

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime faces growing isolation over Qatar strike: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS