Introduction
Amid the ongoing diplomatic dispute between Russia and Turkey, ground staff at Turkish airports have refused service to Russian aircraft, stranding passengers and creating delays and disruption. This follows a tit-for-tat suspension of flights imposed by both countries on each other’s airlines.
Russia-Turkey Airline Dispute Heats Up
The Russia-Turkey dispute has been escalating since the downing of a Russian warplane by Turkey in 2015. Last week Turkish officials suspended scheduled flights of Russian airlines. As a direct result, Russian airlines suspended flights to Turkey from June 1. This has caused a further disruption in travel plans for passengers travelling to and from both countries.
Ground Staff Refuse Service on Russian Boeing Jets
The dispute has reached a new level as Turkish airport personnel have flatly refused service to Russian aircraft. On Friday June 5, ground staff refused to refuel a Russian Boeing 777 jet at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport. The plane was preparing for a flight to St. Petersburg with 1,200 passengers onboard. This incident was preceded by similar refusals of service at Istanbul and Ankara airports as well.
Stranded Passengers Face Delays & Disruption
The refusal of service has created chaotic scenes at airports as passengers are stranded with no means of travel. In addition, the disruption caused by the refusal of service is likely to cause further delays and disruptions. This could lead to further complications in the diplomatic dispute between the two countries.
Conclusion
The Russia-Turkey dispute is taking a toll on the aviation industry. With the refusal of service to Russian aircraft, the situation is likely to deteriorate further. As a result, travelers are likely to face further delays and disruptions in the days ahead. It remains to be seen if the two countries can come to an agreement and resolve the dispute.
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