Passengers experiencing flight delays on departures from Turkey will now be entitled to claim hundreds of pounds in compensation. The new regulation applies to Turkey-based airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, and SunExpress.
Under the new rules, passengers whose flights are delayed due to technical or operational reasons will be eligible for financial compensation. For domestic flights, passengers experiencing delays of more than three hours will be able to claim €100 (£82) in compensation.
For international flights, the compensation amount will vary based on the flight distance:
- Flights of up to 1,500 kilometres: €250 (£207)
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,000 kilometres: €400 (£331)
- Flights exceeding 3,000 kilometres: €600 (£497)
For instance, as the distance between London and Istanbul is approximately 2,000 kilometres, passengers on delayed flights on this route will be entitled to claim £331 in compensation.
Turkey Aligns with EU Regulation
The new rules are considered a significant step towards aligning with the European Union’s EU261 regulation. Previously, EU261 only applied to flights operated by Turkey-based airlines departing from European airports. However, with this latest regulation, flights departing from Turkey are now also covered.
Ivaylo Danailov, co-founder of SkyRefund, a company specialising in airline compensation claims, stated: “With the updated regulation, Turkish Airlines flights departing from Turkey are now included in the compensation framework. Previously, Turkish regulations only provided compensation for flight cancellations or denied boarding. The new rules extend passengers’ rights to claim compensation for delays as well.”
According to 2024 data, only 1% of flights in Turkey experienced delays exceeding three hours. The rate was recorded at 0.6% for Turkish Airlines and 0.8% for Pegasus Airlines.
Passengers affected by delays can submit their compensation claims directly to the respective airline. Those flying with a European airline may also be eligible for additional compensation under EU261.
Experts consider this new regulation an important development, as it is expected to improve flight punctuality, enhance passenger experience, and strengthen airline accountability.
© AeroHaber.com / Mevlüt Zor
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