Turkish Airlines resuming more EX-YU flights

Turkish Airlines will reinstate the majority of its destinations in the former Yugoslavia by July 1 as the airline continues to rebuild its international network. As previously reported, Turkish has today resumed three weekly operations to Belgrade and Sarajevo, while its planned Skopje flights have been delayed due to the airport's continued closure for commercial traffic. On July 1, Turkish Airlines will restore services from Istanbul to Zagreb, Ljubljana and Pristina. Flights to the Croatian capital will run five time per week, while operations to Ljubljana and Pristina will have four weekly rotations. As of July 1, services to Belgrade and Sarajevo will be increased. The airline is yet to finalise and officially confirm its schedule for Dubrovnik, Podgorica and Skopje.

Turkey has lifted all entry requirements and restrictions for foreign nationals, with the same visa entry rules in effect as prior to the coronavirus pandemic. Passengers are required to wear a face mask at all times whilst at any airport in Turkey, and for the duration of all flights, to and from the country. Travellers are required to complete a passenger locator form prior to arriving in Turkey, details of which will be provided by the airline. All arrivals into Turkey will be subject to a medical evaluation for symptoms of coronavirus, including temperature checks. Any passengers showing symptoms including high fever, coughing or respiratory difficulties will be required to undergo a PCR test for coronavirus. In the event that a test returns a positive result, the individual will be provided with medical treatment at a facility determined by the Ministry of Health or, if preferred, at a private medical facility in Turkey at their own expense.

Passengers flying with Turkish Airlines on flights to and from the former Yugoslavia will come across a somewhat different on board experience than usual. In addition to the compulsory wearing of face masks, passengers will only be allowed to take personal and valuable belongings with them on board (weighing no more than four kilograms). All other cabin luggage will be received during the check-in process as registered baggage. All passengers will be provided with a “Hygiene Kit” consisting of a mask and an antiseptic tissue, while the carrier’s award-winning catering will not be provided, with all travellers, in both business and economy class, to receive a bottle of water.

Since restarting domestic and international flights, Turkish Airlines has become the busiest operator in Europe. With 400 flights, it became the first airline in Europe to reach the figure since March 24, 2020. Turkish Airlines’ Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Ilker Ayci said, “It is our firm belief that once the world overcomes the crisis, air travel will bounce back stronger than ever. Turkish Airlines will be more than eager to welcome you aboard with our trademark hospitality as we connect continents, people, and cultures. We fully adapted our customer touchpoints according to the new normal standards”.