The invention relates to a method for operating a combined cycle power plant and a plant to carry out such a method. Disclosed is a method for operating a gas turbine (11) comprising a compressor (14), which is equipped with variable inlet guide vanes (13) and receives at its inlet an inlet air flow, which has passed a temperature-affecting air inlet system (12a), a combustor (15, 15') and a turbine (16, 16'). In a closed loop control scheme, a control variable indicative of the turbine outlet temperature (TAT2) is generated, and the air inlet system (12a) and/or the variable inlet guide vanes (13) are controlled in accordance with said control variable such that the turbine outlet temperature (TAT2) is kept at or above a desired setting value (TAT2 min ).