Serdar Günizi, one of Turkey’s esteemed CIOs, with deep knowledge in technology and leadership skills, discussed both Çelebi Aviation Holding and technology in a profound conversation with us…
Serdar Günizi, IT Director of Çelebi Aviation Holding: “By using outsourcing, we take advantage of the latest technologies and expertise in infrastructure investments, allowing us to benefit from global competition. This significantly accelerates time to market, reducing infrastructure setup times from years to days.”
Career of Serdar Günizi
Born in 1968, Serdar Günizi is married with a daughter. He graduated from Boğaziçi University with a degree in Computer Engineering and later earned an MBA from Sabancı University. Günizi began his career in prestigious companies like Arçelik, Citibank, and Hafele, and now serves as IT Director at Çelebi Aviation Holding.
We had an in-depth conversation with Serdar Günizi, one of Turkey’s respected CIOs, about both Çelebi Aviation Holding and the role of technology.
About Çelebi Aviation Holding
Can you tell us about Çelebi Aviation Holding’s operations?
With 65 years of experience, Çelebi Aviation operates across 3 continents, 6 countries, and over 60 stations, serving as a leading company offering a wide range of services in the global aviation sector. We provide ground handling, cargo and warehouse services, passenger services, and airport management. Our goal is to maximize customer satisfaction by running operations in airports worldwide.
The Role of Technology in Aviation
What role does technology play in aviation, and what are the main challenges and opportunities for digitization in your sector?
In aviation, technology plays a critical role, ranging from increasing operational efficiency to improving customer, passenger, and employee experiences, ensuring safety, and reducing environmental impact. While digitization offers great potential in aviation, it also presents challenges like cybersecurity risks and a lack of skilled IT personnel. However, artificial intelligence and digitization make operational processes faster and more efficient.
Modernizing Technology Infrastructure
How are you modernizing your technology infrastructure? How is your digital transformation progressing?
We focus on strategic planning, cultural change, infrastructure investments, and the digitization of business processes to modernize our technology infrastructure and advance our digital transformation. In line with the strategy and roadmap we set in 2015, we replaced our local systems with global digital systems and migrated to cloud data centers. By utilizing outsourcing, we use the latest technologies and expertise in infrastructure investments, benefiting from global competition. This approach has dramatically accelerated time to market and reduced infrastructure setup times from years to days.
Measuring the Return on Technology Investments
How do you measure the return on your technology investments?
As a global company, we strive to use international benchmarks. One of our key financial indicators is the ratio of IT spending to total revenue. Like many others, we also use ROI to track project returns and efficiency gains. In areas where we prefer outsourcing, we try to measure the total cost of ownership (TCO). Even when we can’t calculate ROI, we invest in quality, as customer satisfaction scores and performance and quality metrics (KPIs) are important measures for us.
Data Analytics and Big Data Management Projects
Our data analytics and big data management projects are crucial in increasing operational efficiency, ensuring customer satisfaction, and supporting strategic decisions. We use artificial intelligence to analyze data, predict the future, and foresee operational issues. By taking preventive actions, we optimize our business processes.
Use of Advanced Technologies in Operations
We have been using cloud infrastructure globally since 2015, and it has enabled us to leverage the latest technologies, speed up deployment, and significantly reduce costs. We are also testing advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, IoT, blockchain, and digital twins in various areas such as data transfer with airports, vehicle tracking, recruitment, and internal security chatbots. While we haven’t fully implemented GenAI in our operations yet, we see great potential in areas like video analytics, content creation, and data analytics.
Cybersecurity Strategies and Practices
To ensure operations run smoothly and protect the safety of employees, critical infrastructures like ground services and energy systems must be shielded from cyberattacks. Therefore, we see cybersecurity as an area that requires constant effort and vigilance. We have been using SOC (Security Operations Center) services for years, conducting continuous audits, and working with experts to enhance our environment.
Digital Solutions for Enhancing Passenger Experience
We have designed all our systems to integrate with airports, airlines, IATA, customs, and other authorities to enhance the passenger experience. Airports are highly dynamic environments where flight schedules and plans frequently change. To keep up with these changes and take appropriate action, you must gather information and develop rapid decision-making systems.
Career Milestones and Advice for Future IT Leaders
What were the turning points in your career, and what advice would you give to young IT professionals and future leaders?
Before taking the university entrance exam, I decided not on what I would become but on what I would not become. I didn’t want to be a doctor or an electrical engineer, so I chose Boğaziçi University’s Computer Engineering department as my first choice and got accepted. This is how, even for the wrong reasons, I ended up choosing the most suitable profession for me. I see doing my master’s degree as another milestone in my career, as it helped me better understand the business world.
My advice for young professionals is to love their work, and if they don’t, they should quit immediately. It’s also crucial to emphasize the importance of hard work— the 10,000-hour rule applies in our field too. No matter how smart you are, you need experience to succeed.
Sustainability and Environmentally Friendly Technologies
We are working on sustainability and environmentally friendly technologies by investing in electric ground service vehicles, implementing energy-efficient LED lighting and HVAC systems at airports, and minimizing waste through recycling programs.
Hobbies
I enjoy sports, reading books, and watching films. I’ve also developed a passion for traveling to different countries.
Favorite Tech Devices
I love all tech devices that connect to the internet and provide access to information.
Book Recommendations
My favorite book is Maverick by Ricardo Semler. I also highly recommend Principles by Ray Dalio and Leading Digital by George Westerman, Didier Bonnet, and Andrew McAfee.
A Person or Event That Influenced Your Career
Reyhan Tamsöz, my first manager, had a significant influence on me. The experiences I gained under his leadership helped shape the person I am today.
