Following amendments to its air passenger rights regulation, Turkey’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM) will require airlines to compensate passengers for delayed flights.
The SHGM published the amendment to Article 3, Paragraph 1, Clause (a) of the Air Passenger Rights Regulation (SHY-YOLCU) in the Official Gazette.
Under the new regulation passengers on domestic flights will receive 100 euros for delays, while international flight compensation will range from 250 to 600 euros depending on the distance traveled.
The compensation structure for international flights follows a tiered system: 250 euros for flights up to 1,500 kilometers, 400 euros for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers, and 600 euros for flights exceeding 3,500 kilometers.
SHGM officials say the regulations aim to improve service quality and protect passenger rights in Turkey’s aviation sector. Airlines will be required to pay compensation when technical or operational issues cause significant delays.
The compensation will be paid in Turkish lira, calculated using the Turkish Central Bank’s foreign exchange selling rate on the payment date.
The new rules mirror EU Regulation 261/2004, which similarly mandates compensation for flight delays of three hours or more due to technical issues or operational planning errors.
Passengers must file claims with their airline, providing flight details and documentation of the delay. Airlines are expected to process approved claims and make payments in Turkish lira.
The new regulation is expected to encourage airlines to minimize delays and improve their operational efficiency.