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Turkish Airlines CEO: Pilots should marry

April 17, 2015

The chief executive of Turkish Airlines has advised pilots to get married nearly one month after a Germanwings pilot seemingly deliberately flew a plane into the French Alps, killing all 150 people on board.

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Image: imago/DeFodi

Turkish Airlines' CEO Temel Kotil told newly-trained pilots at a graduation ceremony that tying the knot could help avoid tragic incidents like the March 24 crash of Germanwings Flight 4U 9525.

"The accident in France has taught us something, namely that to be a pilot is a very critical task," Kotil said.

"Our pilot friends, whether they are men or women, their lifestyles are very important," he added. "Therefore, dear friends, we are absolutely encouraging those of you who are single to marry."

Investigators believe the Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz locked the pilot out of the cockpit before intentionally crashing the plane into a mountainous region of southern France. Prosecutors are still looking into Lubitz's possible motives. Initial findings indicated he had previously been treated for depression and suicidal tendencies.

Kotil told his audience the accident happened after Lubitz went through a break up with his girlfriend, although this has not been confirmed by investigators.

A state memorial service to pay tribute to those who died in the crash was held at Cologne Cathedral in western Germany on Friday.

nm/msh (dpa, AP, AFP)