SPEAKER

Founder, Selamoğlu Law Firm · Former SVP of International Relations & Alliances, Turkish Airlines

Lale Kaplan is a distinguished aviation lawyer, international instructor, and aviation executive with more than three decades of experience in the global aviation industry. She is recognised for her expertise in Aviation Law, Contract Law, Competition Law, Labour Law, airline alliances, and international commercial aviation.

She began her career as Legal Counsel at Turkish Airlines (THY) and subsequently served as Deputy Chief Legal Counsel, leading legal matters related to international operations as well as aircraft acquisition, leasing, and financing. She later held several senior executive positions within Turkish Airlines, including Regional Director responsible for the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Bahrain, and Sri Lanka.

Prior to her retirement from Turkish Airlines, Ms. Kaplan was appointed Senior Vice President of International Relations and Alliances, where she played a pivotal role in leading Turkish Airlines’ successful integration into the Star Alliance network — one of the most significant milestones in the airline’s international growth.

Following her executive career, she served as Chief Legal Counsel at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport before founding Selamoğlu Law Firm in 2014, where she continues to advise clients on aviation and commercial law.

Ms. Kaplan is a part-time lecturer at the Faculty of Aeronautics and Space at Özyeğin University, teaching Aviation Law and Labour Law. She is also an international instructor for the International Air Transport Association (IATA), delivering professional training programmes across the world on Aviation Law, Passenger Rights, Contract Law, Competition Law, and other legal aspects of international air transport.

As a frequent speaker at international conferences and industry events, Ms. Kaplan brings together legal expertise, executive leadership, and practical industry experience. Her presentations focus on the evolving legal and regulatory framework of aviation, airline alliances, passenger rights, commercial aviation, and emerging challenges facing the global air transport sector.