Turkish Airlines Accused of “Medieval” Prejudice After Denying Boarding to BBC Veteran with Parkinson’s
A former BBC journalist was left “humiliated” and stranded after Turkish Airlines refused to allow him to board a flight from Istanbul to London Gatwick due to his Parkinson’s disease,sparking accusations of discrimination.
Mark Mardell, a seasoned broadcaster with 25 years of experience reporting for outlets including BBC Radio 4, was unaware of the airline’s policy requiring a doctor’s note confirming his fitness to fly. He shared his experience on Facebook, describing the situation as “prejudice dressed up as policy,” adding it was “ignorant, insulting, and frankly medieval.” The BBC has reached out to Turkish Airlines for comment.
Mardell recounted how he had successfully checked his luggage but was stopped before security. “Rest assured, I wasn’t drunk, violent, or even late. No, my sin was having Parkinson’s,” he wrote. Initially, he believed the airline required proof of his diagnosis, but was then informed a medical certificate was needed specifically stating he was safe to travel.
According to Mardell, Turkish Airlines appears to operate under the assumption that individuals with Parkinson’s disease pose a risk to themselves or others. He emphasized that he had previously flown with other airlines – including British airways, Lufthansa, American, Emirates, and Qantas – without encountering similar obstacles.
“Turkish Airlines stands alone in demanding people with Parkinson’s must bring a doctor’s note. That’s not ‘assistance’; that’s a barrier,” Mardell stated. He noted that Parkinson’s is a rapidly growing neurological condition, questioning the logic of restricting air travel for those affected.
The Turkish Airlines website confirms the requirement, stating that passengers with Parkinson’s disease must present a doctor’s report within the last 10 days, verifying that air travel poses no harm and specifying whether the passenger requires accompaniment.
Mardell’s ordeal extended beyond the initial denial of boarding. He described being left “staggering” around the airport for hours, struggling to locate his checked luggage with minimal assistance from airline staff. Eventually, a helpful employee and a member of the public aided him in retrieving his bag.
He ultimately returned to the UK on a wizz Air flight the following day. Mardell shared his story publicly to raise awareness and prevent others with Parkinson’s from facing similar treatment. “I had to rebook, stay in a hotel, and spend the night stranded, all as I have a medical condition, not a contagious disease,” he explained. “People with Parkinson’s everywhere need to know about this Airline’s outrageous policy.”
Substantive News Report:
Why: Mark Mardell,a former BBC journalist,was denied boarding a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to London Gatwick because he has Parkinson’s disease and did not have a recent doctor’s note confirming his fitness to fly,as required by the airline’s policy.
Who: Mark Mardell, a 25-year broadcasting veteran, was the individual affected. Turkish Airlines is the airline accused of discrimination. The BBC has sought comment from turkish Airlines.
What: Turkish Airlines’ policy requires passengers with Parkinson’s disease to present a medical report within 10 days of travel, verifying their fitness to fly and whether accompaniment is needed. Mardell was unaware of this policy and was subsequently denied boarding, leading to
