Lale Kaplan began her professional career at Turkish Airlines after graduating from Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Law. She served successively as Legal Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, gaining extensive experience in aviation, commercial and contract law.

She subsequently joined the Office of the Deputy General Manager for Commercial Affairs at Turkish Airlines and served as Regional Director responsible for the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Bahrain and Sri Lanka between 2003 and 2007. During this period, she played an active role in international commercial relations, regional aviation operations and multilateral cooperation.

Following her return to Türkiye, Kaplan served as Head of International Relations and Alliances at Turkish Airlines, assuming significant responsibilities in the airline’s accession to Star Alliance and in the negotiation and conclusion of numerous international agreements.

After retiring from Turkish Airlines in 2009, she served as Chief Legal Counsel of Sabiha Gökçen Airport. She left this position in 2014 and began practising independently as an attorney and consultant. Her practice focuses on civil aviation and international air law, as well as commercial, contract and employment law.

Alongside her legal practice, Lale Kaplan teaches Aviation Law and Introduction to Employment Law part-time at Özyeğin University. She also serves as an instructor in air law, contract law and aviation for the International Air Transport Association and continues to provide consultancy services to the AeroHelp Institute.

Kaplan is a member of the Istanbul Bar Association’s Space and Aviation Law Commission and Logistics and Transport Law Commission, where she contributes her professional knowledge and experience to sector-focused initiatives. She is also a member of Soroptimist Türkiye Pendik Club and actively participates in social responsibility projects supporting girls with limited financial means and empowering women.