Turkish Airlines (THY) has officially abolished the practice of requiring Parkinson’s patients to present a medical report stating “there is no objection to travel” before flying. Under the previous procedure, this report had to be issued at least 10 days prior to the flight and include the doctor’s name, surname, diploma number, and signature.
The regulation came to public attention after former BBC journalist Mark Mardell, who has Parkinson’s disease, encountered problems before his Istanbul–London flight. Unaware of the rule, Mardell was forced to wait overnight at Istanbul Airport because he could not provide the required report, a situation that sparked international debate.
THY announced its new decision by removing the statement “patients must present a doctor’s report before flying” from its website. This effectively eliminated the requirement for special permission for Parkinson’s patients.
Mardell: “A positive step, but uncertainties remain”
Expressing his satisfaction with the decision, Mark Mardell also pointed out that some ambiguities persist regarding how the new policy will be interpreted in practice.
CAA: No special medical approval required for Parkinson’s
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) stated that Parkinson’s patients do not need additional medical clearance to fly and that standard passenger procedures are sufficient.
THY’s decision is considered an important step both for protecting the rights of passengers with medical conditions and for ensuring alignment with international practices.
