Corporate Social Responsibility in Airline Companies: The Example of 6 February Kahramanmaraş Earthquake

Özet

Purpose – The aim of the research is to examine the activities carried out by airline companies within the scope of their corporate social responsibilities, to examine their connections with the airline business model and their contributions to society. For this purpose, the social responsibility projects implemented by airline companies were examined within the scope of the February 6 2023 Türkiye earthquake. Design/methodology/approach - For research purpose, the corporate social responsibility activities implemented and carried out by airline companies approved by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation in this process are discussed. The population of the research consists of airline companies in Türkiye, and the samples are Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Sunexpress Airlines, Corendon Airlines and MGA Airlines. Qualitative research method was used in the study and in June-August 2023 the data collected was analyzed in October 2023 using the descriptive analysis method. In the data collection process of the research, airline companies' web pages, social media accounts, managers' press releases and news pages were used. Findings – The scope of the research includes social responsibility activities carried out by Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Sunexpress Airlines and other airline companies during the earthquake period. In this context, it is seen that activities in general such as financial aid, free flight organization, technical maintenance activities and search and rescue support are carried out by airline companies. Discussion – As a result of the analysis, the dimensions and consequences of the disaster caused by the earthquakes that occurred in Türkiye on February 6, 2023 are revealed. It is observed that companies that implement the traditional airline business model play a more active role in the social responsibility activities implemented by airline companies. When looked at in the General framework, it can be seen that the competition in the Turkish market, where Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines and Sunexpress Airlines are more active in this process, is also reflected in the corporate social responsibility activities implemented. Although airline companies attach importance to corporate social responsibility activities, it is observed that they act more sensitively in disasters such as earthquakes that deeply affect society. Based on this, it can be interpreted that companies exhibit a holistic approach by seeing these activities as a mandatory need rather than a social responsibility