It was just before the pandemic hit in early 2020 that Ayse Misirli’s career changed direction – after more than 20 years working for airlines, she joined Menzies as Station Manager at Stockholm Arlanda, leading the ground handling operation. Here’s her story…

“I joined Turkish Airlines in 1998 part time in the call centre and planning to stay for a couple of months. It turns out that it’s not easy to leave aviation!” says Ayse, who took a full time contract and worked her way around the organisation. “By 2005, I had worked in many departments and started a management role in the Middle East, eventually becoming Turkish Airlines’ Director of Dubai.”

Ayse spent nine years in the region, before moving to Switzerland and then to Scandinavia. “I joined Atlasglobal Airlines as Director for Sweden and Denmark,” continues Ayse, “I was a customer of Menzies Aviation then.”

Working in different countries has taught Ayse to adapt to working styles and cultures. “One of my executives, whose name means ‘Tulip’. once told me to be like a flower and to find the best way to survive in any environment.”

Now, as Station Manager, Ayse is thankful for the support of her experienced team and the wider organisation. “I’ve always been fortunate to work with supportive executives and my background working with airlines has been really helpful, but it’s been strange being the one asking the questions after so many years being the one who had the answers! The crisis has been a great training ground, I’ve learned everything in depth and whilst doing the job and making the decisions,” she says.

Decision making is one of Ayse’s strengths. “The people who’ve handled the most problems are the strongest,” she says, reflecting on her own action-orientation. “I’m not a person who likes to sit still, which is why I really love working for a ground handler.”