07.11.2026 19:10
Before the United Nations Climate Change Summit-COP31, to be held in Antalya between November 9 and 20, taxi services at the airport have caused a crisis. While visitors coming to the city for the summit claim that they were not taken into taxis due to short distances and that there were no alternative transportation options, the President of the Antalya Drivers' Chamber, Mehmet Ali Alkan, reacted to the situation and denied the allegations that passengers were being selected.
Before the United Nations Climate Change Summit COP31, to be held in Antalya between November 9 and 20, taxi services at the airport became a matter of debate. It was claimed that some taxis did not take visitors coming to the city for the summit into their vehicles because they wanted to travel a short distance. Following images and reactions reflected on social media, Antalya Drivers' Chamber President Mehmet Ali Alkan made a statement. Alkan stated that 246 taxis operating at the airport work under a certain queue system and denied the claims that passengers were selected.
VISITORS COMING FOR COP31 CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT FIND A TAXI
While COP31 preparations continue in Antalya, some visitors who wanted to reach the event area from the airport claimed that taxi drivers did not accept short-distance trips.
Broadcaster Hakkı Alkan also shared on his social media account the taxi experience he had in Antalya, where he came for COP31. Alkan, who stated that he wanted to go from the airport to the exhibition center, claimed that some taxi drivers did not want to take him into their vehicles, saying the distance was short.
Alkan, who recorded the dialogue he experienced, stated that taxi drivers preferred long-distance trips and said:
“In Antalya, our taxis are interesting. Interesting like this: We said we would go to the exhibition center. The guys over there say, ‘No, these won't do.’ Why? You are going nearby. I mean, isn't it within Antalya? What difference does near or far make? We just came out of the airport; look, these people are also waiting. ‘No, man, something else will come for you. If these are going on a long trip, you can take this taxi. Otherwise, no.’ Man, we need to change this mindset. Look, a big event is being held here. COP31. We need to change this mindset.”
“NO UBER, NO BOLT, NO ALTERNATIVE COMPANY”
The taxi debate also drew reactions on social media. One of the visitors who came to Antalya for COP31 criticized the absence of alternative transportation options in the city, reacting to what they experienced regarding transportation.
In the post in question, the following statements were used: “There is a disgrace in Antalya. Taxi drivers are picking and choosing the foreigners who come for COP31, which has been advertised for months, from the airport. There is no Uber, no Bolt, no TAG, no alternative company. If there is anything, it is the yellow taxi. There has been a great disgrace since morning.”
The post also criticized the limited transportation options for visitors in Antalya, which is preparing to host an international organization.
DRIVERS' CHAMBER PRESIDENT DENIED THE CLAIMS
As the debates grew, Antalya Drivers' Chamber President Mehmet Ali Alkan made a statement. Stating that 246 taxis operating at the airport work within an orderly system according to a short- and long-distance queue, Alkan argued that the images were evaluated incompletely.
Claiming that in the images in question there was no statement by the taxi driver that he would not carry the passenger, Alkan said it was only stated that the vehicle immediately behind would come.
“THERE IS NO QUESTION OF CHOOSING CUSTOMERS OR REFUSING PASSENGERS”
Antalya Drivers' Chamber President Mehmet Ali Alkan said in his statement:
“Posts published on some social media channels that cast suspicion on our taxi tradesmen have upset our tradesmen, who have earned their living by their labor for years.
Our 246 taxi tradesmen operating at Antalya Airport provide service within an orderly system, one behind the other, according to a short- and long-distance queue. In the image in question, there is no statement by our taxi tradesman that he will not take the passenger; it is only stated that the vehicle immediately behind will come. Therefore, there is no question of choosing customers or refusing passengers.
Casting suspicion on all our taxi tradesmen through a few images or an incomplete evaluation harms the bread and sweat of our people, who have earned their living by their labor for years. As the Antalya Drivers' Chamber, we are making the necessary announcements and warnings, and we are closely following the process by meeting with our stand presidents.
As Antalya tradesmen, we are ready for COP31. In consultation with our Governorship, Police Department and relevant public institutions, we continue our work to host our guests in the best way and provide transportation services in the best way.”
Alkan stated that assessments regarding their profession should be based on concrete facts and asked the public not to give credence to incomplete posts that do not reflect the truth.