Turkish Airlines had to cancel more than 100 flights due to technical problems with the computer system!
On the evening of Wednesday, November 1, 2023, Turkish Airlines was forced to suddenly cancel all flights due to technical problems with the IT system. The problems also involved low-cost subsidiary AnadoluJet. Although the company initially announced that flights would be canceled between 19:00 and 22:00, the reality on the ground showed that flights were also affected on Thursday, November 2.
According to Flightradar24.com, the three-hour period affected 92 flights departing from Istanbul Airport and 14 from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. Turkish Airlines flies from Istanbul Airport, while AnadoluJet's hub is at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.
Hundreds of canceled and delayed flights
Although the airline confirmed the cancellations within three hours, FlightAware data indicates that more flights were affected, including more than 200 flights reporting delays. As of 22:25 p.m. Wednesday, Istanbul Airport was reporting 136 canceled flights and 237 delayed flights.
Turkish Airlines announced late Wednesday that passengers on affected flights until Thursday would be allowed to change their reservations for free. In addition, no-show penalties will not be charged to travelers who have not taken action even if their flight time has passed. The carrier also said unused tickets, including tickets on partially completed itineraries, will be refunded without any deduction.
We also mention that all European passengers affected by canceled or delayed flights during this period can benefit from delayed flight compensation up to 600 euros according to European standards.
In the present case, the problem is only with the airline and force majeure cannot be invoked. Air passenger rights provides for such compensation. At the same time, passengers had the right to accommodation / meals and transfer from / to the airport.
If you fly on EU territory or from the EU to other non-EU destinations (regardless of whether the flight is operated by a company inside or outside the EU), you are also entitled to financial compensation of up to €600. These compensations are set according to the distance:
- 250 Euro for distance flights below 1500 km - regional and domestic flights
- 400 euros for flights between 1500-3500 km
- 600 euros for flights over distances over 3500 km (with a minimum delay of 4 hours)
- 300 euros for flights over distances over 3500 km (delayed between 3 and 4 hours)