1. A method for operating a gas turbine plant, comprising a compressor ( 1 ), which on an inlet side inducts intake air ( 2 ) and compresses it for providing compressor exit air ( 3 ) on a discharge side, a combustion chamber ( 4 , 9 ), in which a fuel ( 5 , 10 ) is combusted, using the compressor exit air ( 3 ), forming a hot gas ( 6 , 11 ), and a turbine ( 7 , 12 ), in which the hot gas ( 6 , 11 ) is expanded, performing work, the method comprising: extracting compressed air from the compressor ( 1 ) and directing the compressed air as cooling air flow ( 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 ) into the combustion chamber ( 4 , 9 ) and/or into the turbine ( 7 , 12 ) for cooling thermally loaded components; and controlling at least one cooling air flow ( 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 ), for achieving specific operating targets, with a control element ( 15 , 16 , 17 , 21 ) in dependence upon the operating target.