Flight TK 4963, operating the Milas-Istanbul route, encountered severe turbulence for approximately 20 minutes. Reports indicate that passengers were left in fear and confusion, with some reciting religious prayers and others breaking into tears, all while receiving no updates from the cockpit or cabin crew — prompting a wave of criticism.
“20 Minutes of Silence: Passengers Traumatized”
Journalist Elif Çakır, who was on the flight, posted on social media that there was no communication whatsoever from the cockpit or cabin crew during the turbulence. “A simple announcement to reassure passengers… it shouldn’t have been that hard,” she said.
Footage shared online showed some passengers praying and others trying to shield themselves in fear. The visible panic and helplessness onboard quickly went viral on social media.
“You Owe Your Passengers an Apology”
Çakır criticised Turkish Airlines in her post, stating: “You have no right to put your passengers through this. You owe them an apology.” Emphasizing competence, communication, and valuing people, she pointed out that in addition to technical skill, effective communication during a crisis is crucial.
Experts React: “A Simple Announcement Could Have Changed Everything”
Aviation experts also weighed in, stressing that a brief message from the pilot or the chief flight attendant could have significantly reduced panic. “Letting passengers know that the turbulence is under control and the flight is continuing safely provides reassurance and prevents chaos,” they noted.
Awaiting a Statement from THY
As of now, Turkish Airlines has not released an official statement regarding the incident, which remains a trending topic on social media.
Source: https://www.karar.com/guncel-haberler/thy-ucaginda-turbulans-panigi-20-dakika-suren-sessizlik-yolculari-soka-1962485TK 4963 Milas İstanbul uçağı Hava koşulları nedeniyle sert bir türbülansa girdi. Olabilir. 20 dakika boyunca uçak girdiği türbülanstan çıkamadı, ağlayan, atak geçiren, kelime-i şahadet getiren yolculara ve korkan çocuklara ve hamile yolculara rağmen tek bir açıklama yapılmadı.… pic.twitter.com/86fVbWombn
— Elif Çakır (@elifcakirr) May 25, 2025
