Turkey considering restarting flights by mid-May – but only domestic trips at first
TURKEY is considering starting flights as soon as next month, with domestic flights resuming from mid-May. Coronavirus cases in the country are beginning to fall as recoveries overtake infections. ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates The resuming of flights is to be discussed by officials, with trail transport and […]
TURKEY is considering starting flights as soon as next month, with domestic flights resuming from mid-May.
Coronavirus cases in the country are beginning to fall as recoveries overtake infections.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
The resuming of flights is to be discussed by officials, with trail transport and the reopening of schools also to be discussed.
Coronavirus cases have hit 112,000, with nearly 3,000 deaths across Turkey, although the country was one of the last to be hit by the deadly virus.
The suggestion of May flights is great news for flag carrier Turkish Airlines, although will need to be approved by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before they resume.
Flights could start from May 24, which coincides with Eid al-Fitr, a three day holiday following Ramadan.
Pegasus Airlines CEO Mehmet Nane, who’s also the head of Turkey’s Private Aviation Operators Association told Bloomberg: “We are already ready to resume flights as long as it is approved.”
However, social distancing rules and regulations are also being discussed to prevent the spread of the virus within the cabin.
He added: “Social-distancing rules inside the plane are just the tip of the iceberg, there is a need for a comprehensive arrangement for rules about ticketing desks, security and access to the planes.”
Tickets could go on sale two weeks before the first flight to see the demand, and so measures can be taken to allow space within the flight for passengers.
Holidays for Brits are unlikely to be the same if heading to Turkey post-lockdown.
Tourists visiting Turkey will need to have a certificate proving they don’t have coronavirus to be allowed to visit, according to the government.
The new regulations were announced by Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy to be introduced following the pandemic.
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You can currently grab bargain flights to Turkey if travelling in November or December this year.
EasyJet, who has launched their winter flight schedule, is selling return tickets for just £59 per person to the country for the end of 2020.
Turkey is also sending planeloads of emergency equipment to Britain to help hard-hit medics on the frontline battle coronavirus.
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