27.05.2024 15:18
The Press Office of Turkish Airlines made a statement regarding the national volleyball team players traveling in economy class. The statement mentioned that flight planning is done annually and the responsibility for ticketing processes lies with the relevant federations. However, the Turkish Volleyball Federation denied THY's statement and stated that they were not able to get Business Class tickets and that THY only allowed a limited number of cabin upgrades.
Turkish Airlines (THY), which has been in the spotlight with its expensive sponsorship expenses and employees with luxury cars, sent the Sultan of the Net to the USA in economy class on a scheduled flight. Many national volleyball players, including team captain Eda Erdem, Zehra Güneş, and Ebrar Karakurt, expressed their dissatisfaction with THY through social media posts before the 13-hour flight.
THY BLAMES THE FEDERATION In a statement on the matter, Turkish Airlines Press Advisor Yahya Üstün said, "Our brand, which is one of the strongest sectoral supporters of sports and athletes on both national and global levels, makes a flight plan at the beginning of the year taking into account our annual flight capacity for all federations we sponsor. The responsibility for the ticketing process carried out within this scope belongs to the relevant federations and is provided by their officials."
FEDERATION DENIES THY'S CLAIMS When Turkish Airlines (THY) passed the ball to the Turkish Volleyball Federation (TVF) regarding the controversial journey of the National Women's Volleyball Team players, the response was not delayed.
In a statement made by the TVF, it was stated, "Due to the statements containing expressions against our federation and not reflecting the truth made by THY officials regarding the mentioned flight, it has become necessary to inform the public. Our federation cannot purchase Business Class tickets in accordance with the legislation it is affiliated with. Before the mentioned trip to the USA, on 17.05.2024, our team's travel list was shared with THY both in writing and verbally, and support was requested especially for cabin upgrades. THY informed us that they have the right to upgrade the cabin for only 20 people throughout the year according to the availability of the aircraft and that this process can be carried out depending on the availability before the flight. No one from our team's travel party took advantage of the cabin upgrade right on the flight on 26.05.2024. The contract between THY and our federation is within the scope of a barter agreement and does not involve any financial payment. All the rights in the contract are used as flight tickets in our federation's activities. In conclusion, no cabin upgrade was made for any ticket on the mentioned flight, and our flight list, as stated in the electronic mails contrary to the statements made by Turkish Airlines officials, was shared with Turkish Airlines officials on 17.05.2024. It is not possible to accept the statements made contrary to the truth."