Turkish Airlines' late decision to halt flights to New York leads to further questions

Main opposition Deputy Chairman Fethi Açıkel criticized Turkish Airlines' March 26 decision to halt New York-Istanbul flights for being too late, adding that the company transported some 500 from the coronavirus hotspot in the past two days. The Health Ministry should reveal the admission process for these passengers and whether they were quarantined, Açıkel noted.

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Turkish Airlines’ March 26 decision to suspend flights to New York was late and some 500 persons arrived in Istanbul from the coronavirus hotspot, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Fethi Açıkel said Friday.

The Health Ministry should reveal the process of admission for these passengers into the country and whether they were quarantined, Açıkel said. 

Turkish Airlines transported some 500 passengers from New York in the past two days, Açıkel said, noting that the company is still operating four other routes. 

Turkish Airlines to suspend all but five international flightsTurkish Airlines to suspend all but five international flights

Some 200 passengers arrived from Washington D.C. in the past two days, another 200 from Chicago in the past 24 hours, 500 from Moscow in three days and some 100 from Hong Kong daily, Açıkel added. 

Noting that Turkish Airlines crew members are under great risk and the company should halt international flights, Açıkel said.  

Topics Coronavirus coronavirus outbreak coronavirus deaths New York coronavirus turkey coronavirus quarantine coronavirus death toll coronavirus infections coronavirus in U.S. coronavirus in Turkey Coronavirus precautions coronavirus pandemic coronavirus pandemic in Turkey