1990 - Billionaire beginnings

Turkish-Russian billionaire Mustafa Ali Erdem, CEO of the Şimşek Holdings food product superconglomerate founded Anadolu Havayolları in June 1989 after missing an important business meeting in Istanbul due to a crew shortage for his flight after a visit to a factory in Kayseri. Having already toyed with the idea of investment in the air transport industry for some time, he concluded to found an airline that would make comfortable and reliable air travel more accessible in Turkey, and to break the existing monopoly by the Turkish flag carrier.

After acquiring a single ex-American Pacific Boeing 737-200, TC-SSK, the aircraft was completely refurbished and repainted inside and out with Şimşek Holdings' signature maroon branding. While the names Şimşek, Erdem and Aslan (Lightning, the CEO's last name and Lion respectively) were considered for the new airline, Erdem believed that the name Anatolia / Anadolu held significant cultural and historical value both inside and outside of Turkey, and was perfect for an international airline - thus the name Anadolu Havayolları (Anatolia Airways) was chosen. It was eventually also decided airline and holding company would share the stylized tulip roundel as a logo.

The new airline took to the skies with a full load of passengers for the first time on a sunny day amidst a sprinkling of Istanbul snow on January 15, 1990 bound for Antalya. The 105 passengers on board praised the superior service and catering quality during the flight, and the airline began to gain popularity especially among business travellers, who appreciated the much improved punctuality and efficiency of the flight.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
Boeing 737-200 - TC-SSK
January 1979 delivered to American Pacific
August 1988 sold
June 1989 leased to Anatolia Airways, re-registered TC-SSK
November 1997 returned to lessor; stored @ IGM
August 2009 scrapped