Turkish Airlines has streamlined its refusal policies for passengers traveling to South America after several incidents of denied boarding.
For nearly three weeks, the airline had not allowed passengers on flights to Argentina and Brazil due to various reasons, including the absence of luggage or a passport without any foreign travel history, sometimes without specifying the reasons.
Affected passengers are considering legal action against the airline. One passenger shared a response from Turkish Airlines, which stated that a third-party company responsible for airport security made the decision to deny boarding.
In early March, the airline’s website mentioned “additional controls” for passengers heading to countries like Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Cuba. It was specified that passengers to Brazil needed a return ticket and a hotel reservation for their entire stay, with a transfer not exceeding 24 hours. Flights from Istanbul to Argentina with a technical stop in Sao Paulo were also mentioned.
As of Sunday, Turkish Airlines removed previous conditions, stating entry could be denied for passengers traveling for an extended period without luggage, those traveling abroad for the first time, or those without proper documents for their trip’s purpose. However, the rule that passengers may be denied boarding if they do not have sufficient funds remains.
Due to these policies, some travelers are opting for alternative routes to Argentina, including flights via Dubai and other cities.
The airline’s announcement highlighted additional controls beyond standard passport and visa requirements for passengers to destinations like Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, and Brazil. These controls are in place due to possible entry denials by the country’s authorities, with similar checks during boarding.
General entry requirements and additional controls for specific countries were detailed, emphasizing the need for visas, hotel reservations, return tickets, and official invitation letters for certain destinations. Additionally, passengers lacking sufficient funds or a valid credit card for their stay might face entry denials.
Turkish Airlines advises passengers to ensure they meet all stated conditions to avoid issues at the boarding gate for the relevant flights.
