Russians advised to refrain from flying with Turkish Airlines

The Russian Embassy in Ankara has advised Russians to carefully consider the appropriateness of flying with Turkish Airlines. The flagship carrier of Turkey refuses boarding to Russian citizens on transit flights to Latin America.

The embassy reminded that in recent weeks, there have been cases of Russians being denied boarding on transit flights through Istanbul to Latin America.

The reasons for refusal include non-compliance with requirements that Latin American countries impose on Russian citizens.

These reasons may include the lack of a return ticket, sufficient funds, confirmed hotel reservations, as well as supporting documents if the trip is not declared as tourism. Airline representatives even published a corresponding warning on the official website, but exclusively in English and Turkish.

However, some passengers report that they have been denied boarding even when all necessary requirements are met.

In particular, on April 19, Turkish Airlines refused to board a Russian citizen on a flight from Istanbul to Mexico. The traveler had all the necessary documents, and the refusal was received just before boarding the aircraft in the “clean zone” of the airport, after passing passport control. Several other Russian citizens were unable to depart from Turkey on the same day.

“Indeed, in recent weeks, there have been cases where Russian citizens transiting through Istanbul airports to Latin America have been denied boarding. At the same time, airline staff sometimes behave improperly,” the diplomatic mission said in a statement.

The diplomatic mission called the situation “a serious problem.”

“It is unclear to us how much the Turkish authorities realize its seriousness. The Consulate General of Russia in Istanbul has drawn the airline's attention to the unhealthy situation. The embassy, on its part, has appealed to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs both in writing, i.e., by official note, and orally,” the embassy said.

On the morning of April 23, the embassy published a set of recommendations for compatriots who are being deprived of their rights at Turkish airports.

In particular, in the event of such situations, Russians are urged to immediately contact the Russian Embassy in Ankara and the Consulate General of Russia in Istanbul and report what happened.

“We are forced to advise our citizens to carefully consider the appropriateness of using the services of this airline,” the embassy said in its appeal.

Russian Embassy in Ankara: +90 (531) 261 64 46 [email protected]

Consulate General in Istanbul: +90 (530) 941-03-68 [email protected]