Russians aren’t exactly spoiled for choice when it comes to the airlines they can fly internationally, given the restrictions currently in place. Turkish Airlines is the carrier offering the most one-stop global connectivity from Russia, and now the country is urging citizens to not fly with the Star Alliance airline to Latin America…
In this post:
Russians being denied boarding on Turkish Airlines flights
The Russian Embassy in Turkey is advising Russian citizens to take precautions when flying with Turkish Airlines to Latin America. Authorities claim that Turkish Airlines has repeatedly denied boarding to Russians traveling to Latin American countries, without an explanation for why.
According to the embassy, “airline employees either do not provide any clear explanations of the reasons for the refusal, or refer to the entry rules established by the specified states.”
The embassy is recommending that if Russians are denied travel by Turkish Airlines, they should contact the airline and request a written explanation for the denial, and should sue the airline in their country of residence, demanding compensation for damages. Russian officials have reportedly made repeated attempts to get an explanation from the airline, but have been unsuccessful.
The airline explains publicly that the reason for these denied boardings involves tightened entry requirements by the destination countries that people are traveling to.
These seem like pretty standard requirements that are perhaps being enforced more closely, including proof of return travel, proof of enough money to support oneself abroad, proof of a hotel reservation, and more. Furthermore, some people are apparently being flagged for suspicious behavior, like traveling with little or no luggage.
It’s believed that in recent times, around 1,000 Russians have been denied boarding on Turkish Airlines flights to Latin America.
The intent with this seems pretty clear
It doesn’t seem too hard to figure out what’s going on here, despite Russian officials seemingly being puzzled. Of course every country has entry requirements, and has the right to deny visitors entry if those aren’t met.
There has been an uptick in Russians seeking asylum. In some cases that may be in a country in Latin America, while in other cases it may be that a country is simply being used as a jumping off point to get to a place like the United States.
With the uptick in this issue, we’ve seen some countries take action to avoid these kinds of travelers. For example, in late 2023, we saw El Salvador add an $1,130 airport tariff specifically for visitors from Africa and India, and that was clearly based on an uptick of people traveling to El Salvador with the goal of working their way north toward the United States.
Generally airlines are required to check basic travel documents of passengers, and they can be held liable if they transport passengers who don’t have the things required for entry into a country. It sounds to me like maybe Turkish Airlines is taking this a step further, and is verifying additional details for passengers on routes to some destinations, at the request of those governments.
For example, it’s totally standard that you need to provide proof of funds, where you’re going to stay, etc. I imagine most of the people being denied travel by Turkish Airlines would otherwise be turned away at the border.
1,000 people being denied boarding by Turkish Airlines over time really doesn’t sound like that much, when you consider the size of Turkish Airlines’ network. The airline has more service to Latin America than any other airline in the region, by a long shot.
Also, I’m not sure what the Russian government possibly thinks Turkish Airlines’ motive would be for denying people boarding, other than ensuring entry requirements are met? I mean, the two countries get along quite well, and airlines certainly don’t make money by denying people boarding. Perhaps officials are just so shocked why anyone would choose to flee Russia?
Bottom line
Russia is advising its citizens not to fly Turkish Airlines to Latin America, due to an increase in denied boarding of citizens. I have to imagine this isn’t some scheme on Turkish Airlines’ part to annoy Russians, but rather comes down to tighter entry requirements by destination countries, given the increase in Russians seeking asylum.
What do you make about Russia’s Turkish Airlines travel recommendation?
If this is driven by the destination countries then we should read reports of that happening to ruzzian passengers on EK and QR soon.
No surprises.
Meanwhile, look at Flightradar24 and see all the Turkish, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, Indian and Chinese carriers flying to and through Russia while EU, US, Canadian and other carriers avoid it at the cost of extra hours, fuel and emissions. Why are these carriers permitted this competitive advantage which also provides income to Russia for the overflights? If our carriers can't do it, we should prohibit other carriers from doing it to/from our countries.
"If our carriers can't do it,"
Did Turkey, UAE, Qatar, India or China close their airspace to Russian carriers? No they did not, hence why they are allowed to still fly over Russia.
Remember it was the EU/US/Canada that closed their airspace first. Reciprocation by the Russians would have been fully expected by EU/US/Canada, so let's not pretend it was some surprise. They EU/US/Canada governments and carriers brought this on themselves.
This situation has been going on for more than a year, and its very particular here in Mexico and for Cancun (CUN) airport. It applies random and sometimes passengers that lack experience. A friend of my wife living in Merida (MID) had the problem and was denied boarding in IST, so they did allow Her to buy tickets from Russia and to fly to IST, the problem is the airport in IST and CUN, like...
This situation has been going on for more than a year, and its very particular here in Mexico and for Cancun (CUN) airport. It applies random and sometimes passengers that lack experience. A friend of my wife living in Merida (MID) had the problem and was denied boarding in IST, so they did allow Her to buy tickets from Russia and to fly to IST, the problem is the airport in IST and CUN, like Her and heard those stories everyday in the chat, families with children that visit love ones in Mexico, friends that come on vacations, a guy that came to watch a concert of Madonna, etc. So far the message in the soviet community in southern Mexico its to avoid Turkish airlines. Most of them they do not want to visit USA but rather visit Mexico and in the future make a life here. We do have very good life here.
In Turkey there are people running underground businesses targeting many foreign nationals who seek asylum related documents to support their case in efforts to get to the US. Russians are included as the target audience, on top of Indians, certain African and Middle East countries, etc. Turkiye actually announced a new e-visa requirement for nationals of 10 countries on April 15, 2024 for people transiting through Istanbul on their way to Colombia, Mexico, Panama or...
In Turkey there are people running underground businesses targeting many foreign nationals who seek asylum related documents to support their case in efforts to get to the US. Russians are included as the target audience, on top of Indians, certain African and Middle East countries, etc. Turkiye actually announced a new e-visa requirement for nationals of 10 countries on April 15, 2024 for people transiting through Istanbul on their way to Colombia, Mexico, Panama or Venezuela because it is pretty well known that folks are routing through Istanbul to a Latin America country before they start their journey northward to the US. Anyone traveling through Turkey to certain Latin America countries are subject to additional screening. I suspect the US govt had some discussions with their Turkish counterparts that the country needs to do their part to stem the illegal immigration because transiting through Turkiye has always been the easiest way for people looking to illegally enter the US
Good to hear TK is restricting Russians from traveling to South/Central America. As an American/Estonian citizen any restrictions that Russians might be subject to, regardless of their support level of the Kremlin, is only another pressure point against their regime. Russians are still 'welcome' in many countries. Making one thousand inconvenienced, compared to the 1000's killed in the Ukraine, doesn't pass my sympathy meter.
As an American living in Mexico, I often compare Mexico to Ukraine in terms of having a large possibly unfriendly neighbor. Mexicans know to not elect a candidate who is not anti-American/pro Russian-Chinese. It seems the Ukrainians are either naive or simply stupid to try and align themselves with the West and not expect repercussions. None of us like a bully but you can either learn to live with them or face constant aggression.
...
As an American living in Mexico, I often compare Mexico to Ukraine in terms of having a large possibly unfriendly neighbor. Mexicans know to not elect a candidate who is not anti-American/pro Russian-Chinese. It seems the Ukrainians are either naive or simply stupid to try and align themselves with the West and not expect repercussions. None of us like a bully but you can either learn to live with them or face constant aggression.
I am currently traveling in Ireland which is full of Ukrainians. So on one hand the West pays them to fight Russia yet on the other hand funds those who flee. This is not going to end well for anyone unless policies are changed 180 degrees
Seriously? You try to justify Russia's actions by blaming the victim.
Regardless of who Mexico votes for, the "repercussions" are not going to be that the US sends missile and rocket attacks all over Mexico killing 100s of thousands, attacks schools, hospitals, electrical facilities and other infrastructure, and invades the country to occupy and control it. Which is what you're implying is justified because Ukrainians voted for the 'wrong candidate' in your words.
...Seriously? You try to justify Russia's actions by blaming the victim.
Regardless of who Mexico votes for, the "repercussions" are not going to be that the US sends missile and rocket attacks all over Mexico killing 100s of thousands, attacks schools, hospitals, electrical facilities and other infrastructure, and invades the country to occupy and control it. Which is what you're implying is justified because Ukrainians voted for the 'wrong candidate' in your words.
You are denying them sovereignty and saying they have to be a vassal of Russia, since the original issue was legitimate democratic protest against a corrupt president that didn't keep his promises, killed over 100 of his own citizens and then fled to his Russian sponsor. And you suggest they should just have been happy instead with the corruption and killings... i.e. to remain just like Russia.
So much for civilisation and progress.
That was one of the potential repercussions for Cuba when they overthrew their pro American dictator. Remember bay of pigs? Do you think the U.S. would stand by if say, Canada decided to join a pro Russian/Chinese military alliance that allows the Russians or Chinese to station troops on our borders?
Great note of wisdom from a citizen of a country with a highest number of Nazi collaborators. It's just few years ago they weren't welcomed anywhere, but now they pass judgement on the others.
TK has this notice posted for a while:
https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-us/announcements/passenger-admission-rules-for-south-america/
Some additional controls may be applied to our passengers who have flights arriving in Venezuela (CCS), Mexico (MEX and CUN), Colombia (BOG), Cuba (HAV) and Brazil (GRU), apart from the general rules such as passport and visa requirements. Since the country's authorities may deny entry to the country with respect to the following requirements, similar controls can be carried out during boarding.
TK has this notice posted for a while:
https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-us/announcements/passenger-admission-rules-for-south-america/
Some additional controls may be applied to our passengers who have flights arriving in Venezuela (CCS), Mexico (MEX and CUN), Colombia (BOG), Cuba (HAV) and Brazil (GRU), apart from the general rules such as passport and visa requirements. Since the country's authorities may deny entry to the country with respect to the following requirements, similar controls can be carried out during boarding.
A previous version of this page mentioned more restrictions. According to wayback machine 3/15/2024:
https://web.archive.org/web/20240313123751/https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-us/announcements/passenger-admission-rules-for-south-america/
Passengers with long-term accommodation but no luggage
Passengers traveling abroad for the first time
Passengers who do not have documents suitable for their declared travel purpose
They won’t get far suing airlines that have no representation in Russia since the embargo. Same for flying Istanbul Frankfurt Buenos Aires if they have a transit visa. Especially if the journey commenced in Istanbul as Russia has no jurisdiction. The conditions of carriage also mention doubtful travel and you can guarantee they aren’t going on vacation given the situation. Many Russians are also living in Turkey so will commence their journeys there. So they...
They won’t get far suing airlines that have no representation in Russia since the embargo. Same for flying Istanbul Frankfurt Buenos Aires if they have a transit visa. Especially if the journey commenced in Istanbul as Russia has no jurisdiction. The conditions of carriage also mention doubtful travel and you can guarantee they aren’t going on vacation given the situation. Many Russians are also living in Turkey so will commence their journeys there. So they have to take action in Turkey.
Many comments have valid arguments.
But why only TK.
ME3 or even ET also flies to Russia and Latin America.
All airlines. See my comments above
Or below
If a country denies entry, it usually the carrier that has to fly the person back. It adds up. If the deportee is unable to make the immediate return flight the carrier can also be on the hook for lodging costs. The carrier can also be fined if they have a high percentage of deportees. All about the money.
@ben many airlines not just TK. Pregnant women going to give birth, as like the US, most countries in the western hemisphere grant citizenship under jus soli to newborns. This happened before Hong Kong returned to the Chinese with many giving birth in the US.
Istanbul is a well know start point for attempts to fly and enter a third country with lots of trafficking.
A truth with modifications that most countries in the western hemisphere has jus soli. Almost all countries in the americas do, but in Europe it is conditioned that one of the parents need to be a citizen or a permanent resident of the country. So birth Tourism would not be a possibility in the European jurisdictions. I guess it really boils down to US and Canada as the actually interesting targets.
I would agree that 1000 denials is actually a pretty small relative number. The reason why the Russian government may be choosing to highlight this is twofold...
1. To discourage it's citizens from leaving Russia.
2. To continue to paint themselves as victims of western oppression and Russophobia. Both are recurring themes in the Russia media sphere.
Might it simply be to warn its citizens they are likely to be denied boarding. The US State Dept issued travel warnings like this continually.
As an observation, having traveled to ~5 dozen countries, I - with my star-spangled passport - have never once been asked for proof of onward travel, nor proof of funds. I imagine that folks of non-OECD nationalities have a rather different experience, and may struggle to meet that requirement if, say, their bank accounts are in countries cut off from SWIFT...
Even an American must show a ticket for departure from the Philippines within the specified stay allowed, including the 29 day "no visa" stay.
I’ve never been asked to show my return ticket on arrival in the Philippines although I have one and aware of the 30 day rule.
I am in the Philippines now (on Australian passport) and wasn’t asked to show any documentation when arriving on Saturday. I didn’t even have to show either of my QR codes for immigration or customs which I believed I’d have to do. They were just waiving everyone through.
I was expecting a very rigourous entry procedure after everything I had read, but it was very lax.
American passport-holder here. After I graduated college, I flew MAD-BOG-PTY-IAH (with an intermediate stay in each country). Since I flew on one-way tickets, I was asked for departing flights while checking in to MAD-BOG on Avianca and when passing through immigration in Panama. I've also subsequently flown between Brazil and Paraguay (latter requires yellow fever vaccine if your travel itinerary includes Brazil); strangely I was asked for it on AEP-ASU leg, but nowhere else...
American passport-holder here. After I graduated college, I flew MAD-BOG-PTY-IAH (with an intermediate stay in each country). Since I flew on one-way tickets, I was asked for departing flights while checking in to MAD-BOG on Avianca and when passing through immigration in Panama. I've also subsequently flown between Brazil and Paraguay (latter requires yellow fever vaccine if your travel itinerary includes Brazil); strangely I was asked for it on AEP-ASU leg, but nowhere else...
It really is not of anyone’s interest to know how many countries you have traveled to.
Hi Joe, I have travelled to 97. All in business class (some in first too actually).
Currently at the Four Seasons in Seychelles.
US passport holder - traveled 60+ countries, repeatedly to most of them, and only asked for a return ticket evidence once (South Africa, but only one time after visiting the country almost every year since 1998). During COVID, having not much to do, but with a ton of miles to use, I hopped around much of the world on one-way tickets (as countries gradually opened) and would decide my next destination later - never a problem.
If you are booked on a single ticket, the airline staff can see your flight out again and don't need to ask for proof. Separate tickets same airline, mostly they should be able to see it. Separate ticket different airline is where you will typically be asked to document onward tickets.
You clearly have not been to countries with strict policies. Try entering Panama on a way ticket. They will not even permit you to enter by land without an exit flight.
I think they should be banned from all travel.
Tell me that you're a xenophobic racist without telling me you're a xenophobic racist.
Tell me that you're supporting an aggressive, murderous invader without telling me you're supporting an aggressive, murderous invader.
You must have been all for Germans freely travelling everywhere during WW2 as well.
Considering I wasn't alive during WWII, your point is invalid. Moreover, have Americans been banned from travel for the many unjustified wars the US has carried out? Yeah, I didn't think so.
Those 1000 or so Russians are mostly women, presumably. Many pregnant Russian women are known to have flown to Argentina since the Ukraine war to give births as Russia can't ensure safe deliveries.
Source?
Good article by the Economist. Not only safe deliveries, born child can immediately acquire Argentinian citizenship, and parents can enjoy expedited naturalization procedure. Argentinian passport is ranked 17th in Henley passport index (Russian passport ranked 51st) and allow visa free travel to Schengen area, UK, Japan and South Korea.
Why Russian women are flying to Argentina to give birth
https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2023/03/14/why-russian-women-are-flying-to-argentina-to-give-birth
Good article by the Economist. Not only safe deliveries, born child can immediately acquire Argentinian citizenship, and parents can enjoy expedited naturalization procedure. Argentinian passport is ranked 17th in Henley passport index (Russian passport ranked 51st) and allow visa free travel to Schengen area, UK, Japan and South Korea.
Why Russian women are flying to Argentina to give birth
https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2023/03/14/why-russian-women-are-flying-to-argentina-to-give-birth
I can confirm.
It is gratifying to see everyday Russian citizens seeking asylum, and illustrates well the level of discontent and disdain (and fear) of a regime that lives in past illusions of glory, has plunged Europe into its biggest conflict since World War II, and continues to talk loosely of the use of nuclear weapons. Those seeking asylum should be embraced and aided to reach the places they want to be. In spite of Russia's sanction-busting economic...
It is gratifying to see everyday Russian citizens seeking asylum, and illustrates well the level of discontent and disdain (and fear) of a regime that lives in past illusions of glory, has plunged Europe into its biggest conflict since World War II, and continues to talk loosely of the use of nuclear weapons. Those seeking asylum should be embraced and aided to reach the places they want to be. In spite of Russia's sanction-busting economic growth, there is a brain drain for sure.