13.03.2026 15:31
Ali Akman Sarıhan, a 42-year veteran captain pilot residing in Antalya, shared the cockpit on his final flight as he bid farewell to the skies with his daughter Cemresu Sarıhan, who was on her first flight in civil aviation. Passengers also witnessed the moments when the experienced pilot handed over his duties to his daughter. Emotional moments were experienced on the Antalya-Sanliurfa flight.
Captain pilot Ali Akman Sarıhan, who lives in Antalya, started flying with SunExpress in 2003 after transitioning to the civil aviation sector. The elder of the two daughters of the couple Hilal and Ali Akman Sarıhan, Cemresu, was inspired by her father and turned to the aviation sector. After completing her training and becoming a pilot, Cemresu's first flight in civil aviation went beyond a standard flight. In the last flight of Ali Akman Sarıhan, who decided to retire, his daughter Cemresu Sarıhan occupied the second pilot seat. Emotional moments were experienced during the flight between Antalya and Şanlıurfa, which brought father and daughter together in the same cockpit. The father-daughter duo, flying together for the first time, was accompanied by their families and relatives. Before the flight, Cemresu Sarıhan made a brief announcement to the passengers, explaining the significance of this flight for her and her father.
"HE IS ALSO MY TEACHER" Cemresu Sarıhan said in her announcement: "Today's flight is very meaningful for me and my family. Our captain pilot Ali Akman Sarıhan, my father, is completing his last flight of a 42-year flying career today. He has served thousands of hours in the sky with many different aircraft, from F-16s to Boeing planes, starting his aviation career as a soldier nearly 50 years ago. For the last 23 years, he has safely transported tens of thousands of passengers as part of the SunExpress family. He is the one who has inspired me throughout my life, taught me to love the sky, and enabled me to step into this profession that I proudly practice today. For me, he is not just a captain, but also my teacher, my guide, and my biggest supporter. Some people look at the sky, while others spend their lives there. My father is one of those who dedicated his life to the sky. My dear father, I am so glad you exist, I am so glad you are my father, I am so glad you were born."
"THE STORY CONTINUES WITH MY DAUGHTER" In the middle of his last flight, Ali Akman Sarıhan announced to the passengers on the plane, "It is a very emotional day. This is my last flight of my 42-year flying life. For my daughter Cemresu, it is her first flight in her professional career in civil aviation. This is a moment that is rarely encountered in the world. Being in the same aircraft, in the same cockpit, is very special for us. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to do this profession with love for 42 years. Seeing my daughter as a pilot and flying together is the most beautiful gift that my flying life has given me. Today I am closing this chapter, but the story continues with my daughter," he said. After the announcements, applause erupted on the plane.
PASSENGERS GREETED WITH APPLAUSE After landing at Şanlıurfa GAP Airport, the plane returned to Antalya Airport and was welcomed with a water salute, a tradition in aviation. After completing the flight and exiting the cockpit, the father and daughter were applauded by the passengers for a long time. The passengers and cabin crew on the plane, in unison, said, 'Goodbye Captain Akman, these skies will miss you.' Meanwhile, the father and daughter who disembarked from the plane were greeted with flowers by company officials.
"IT WAS AN EMOTIONAL FLIGHT" Speaking after the flight, Ali Akman Sarıhan stated that there had not been a similar example before, saying, "It was a very emotional, important, and meaningful flight for me. It was truly both enjoyable and very emotional to carry out this flight with my daughter, who started as a co-pilot in our company. It was also a proud flight. I hope everyone gets the chance to make such a flight. It was really great. We are both very happy," he said.
"FLYING WITH MY FATHER HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY DREAM" Cemresu Sarıhan, who said she realized one of her biggest dreams, stated, "I am very happy to have been able to witness this moment of my father. It has always been my dream to fly with my father. That’s why today is both an emotional and a very happy day for us," she said.