24.04.2025 12:31
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that they will meet with the executives of GSM operators, who have become the focus of reactions following the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Istanbul yesterday. He said, "This has been an experience for us. We will sit down to discuss what we should do to avoid experiencing this again. We will take the necessary actions regarding the deficiencies that should have been addressed but were not."
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu attended a promotional event to be held within the scope of the "Turkey's Net Zero Emission Roadmap in Transportation" project.
"THERE WERE SERIOUS DISRUPTIONS IN THE FIRST 15 MINUTES"
Referring to the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Istanbul yesterday and the subsequent aftershocks, Uraloğlu stated, "There was a significant load on communication as people tried to inform their relatives about their situation and get information from them in the first moments. This led to a reliance on normal voice communication. There were no issues with internet-based applications like WhatsApp, BİP, and Facetime. However, we detected serious disruptions in the first 15 minutes," he said.
"TODAY WE WILL SIT AT THE TABLE AND DO WHAT IS NECESSARY"
Continuing his remarks, Minister Uraloğlu indicated that they would meet with GSM operator companies today, saying: "We have been in constant communication with 3 operators and have returned to normal. This has been an experience for us. We will sit at the table to discuss what we need to do to avoid experiencing this again. We will take necessary actions regarding the deficiencies that should have been addressed but were not," he stated.
DISPUTES OVER AIRLINE TICKET PRICES
Finally, addressing the increase in ticket prices by some airlines after the earthquake, Minister Uraloğlu said, "Currently, there is a ceiling price application in Turkey. Except for business passengers, no one can sell tickets above the ceiling price. That ceiling is 4800 TL. The prices are 2860 and 4800. We observed a reflex to leave Istanbul immediately after the first moments of the earthquake. When there is demand for air travel, you cannot measure everything at once. THY and Pegasus have reduced their prices to 1750 TL. We will also provide such services for free when necessary. I want to emphasize that the ceiling prices were never exceeded. The ceiling price was not exceeded, friends. I remember it being 4850 TL. If there is information that it has been exceeded, please inform us so we can take necessary actions," he said.