In the path towards the normalization process, before the first flight from Istanbul to Ankara Minister KARAISMAILOGLU participated into “The Istanbul Airport Epidemic Certificate Presentation Ceremony".
At the ceremony, KARAISMAILOGLU spoke and emphasized that after a long break, they carried out the first flight today and the normalization of transportation services will be one of the first and most important steps for the revival of social and economic life.
KARAISMAILOGLU stated that by accepting the health of our passengers as our main "priority", they took all health precautions at the highest level at the airports and inside aircraft, and opened the airports that fulfill the measures.
With the epidemic certificate application, Karaismailoğlu said that they have documented airports that took preventive health measures and that the certification works will cover all airports in a short time.
Reminding that they continue their transition to normalization process without haste and started high-speed train services last week, KARAISMAILOGLU stated that the first flight on domestic lines will be from Istanbul to Ankara today, and the first certificate will be issued to Istanbul Airport.
"The certification process of 6 airports has been completed".
Adil KARAISMAILOGLU also stated that today, inter-provincial travels have returned to their normal flow as before, and said:
"In summary, we have taken important steps to return to our old days on roads, railways and airlines. For the past month, we have been working hard to make the necessary preparations for the airports. We have issued the"Airport Epidemic Measures and Certification Circular "in line with the measures stipulated by the Ministry of Health. Our airports are being re-organized against the Covid-19 epidemic and as the Ministry we will issue certificates to our airports, respectively. "
KARAISMAILOGLU emphasized that up to now, the certification process of 6 airports, Istanbul, Sabiha Gökçen, Esenboğa, Izmir Adnan Menderes, Antalya and Trabzon, has been completed.
"Let our passengers feel themselves secure during travel."
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure KARAISMAILOGLU, while addressing to the hygiene measures taken at the airports for travel, made the following evaluations:
"We want our passengers to be comfortable while traveling. Therefore, our measures will be applied to cover every stage of their travel. From today on, we move to an isolation-oriented period in which all stages of the journey from entry to the departure destination. Our certificate not only entails airport and terminal operators and ground handling companies but also includes each institution and organization as well as individuals that bring passengers to the airport through any means of transportation in which relevant measures must also be taken."
KARAISMAILOGLU told about the four elements they will never compromise in the airports against the epidemic. He emphasized that "everyone must wear masks", "must be in full compliance with social distancing", "must be taking personal and institutional hygiene measures" and "using protective equipment suitable for risk".
"We meet all the conditions for a healthy travel"
Adil KARAISMAILOGLU stated that they have completed their slot planning within the scope of the number of traffic to be determined at the airports, so that there will be a social distance rule between passengers disembarking from and embarking to aircraft either arriving or departing.
KARAISMAILOGLU emphasized that they will keep the passenger circulation at a minimum rate, and in addition to the flight crew, aircraft hygiene specialists will be hired to meet all the conditions for a healthy journey.
KARAISMAILOGLU noted that the passengers who use private public transportation services for arriving to the airport will sit with the mask and according to the social distance rule, "We have taken all measures, from the follow-up of the public transportation vehicles to contactless temperature measurement procedures. For the time being, we will not be able to host our citizens who have come to welcome and send off their guest, except for the accompanied passengers in need of nursing. We expect understanding from our citizens on this matter. "
"Our negotiations continue for international flights"
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure KARAISMAILOGLU stated that they will continue the "Airport Epidemic Certification" process, which has been initiated within 6 airports in 5 major cities for now, and will continue until all the airports receive their certification:
"In addition to the measures taken by the state and new regulations implemented by our Ministry, we expect our citizens and passengers to comply with the rules. We must fulfill our obligation to wear a mask without compromising, in every aspect of social life. This includes the duration of the trip. Getting HES code and having our health status checked frequently should be among the normals of our lives. It is up to each of us to protect both our own health and the public health. As an individual and as a nation, if we can implement all the decisions attentively, we see that the epidemic will have completely disappeared within a very short time."
KARAISMAILOGLU said that we are proud for Turkey has already reached a point of success by proving to be a safe harbor during the epidemic.
KARAISMAILOGLU pointed out that Turkey has set successful examples in regard to the struggle with the epidemic and is continuing to set an example to the world through the post-epidemic normalization steps and added "We are continuing our negotiations and efforts to restart international flights under the leadership of our President."
Epidemic certificate to IGA
After the speech, Istanbul Airport Epidemic Certificate was presented to Kadri Samsunlu, the Chairman and General Manager of IGA Airport Operation, by Minister KARAISMAILOGLU.
KARAISMAILOGLU bought his ticket from the THY sales point to attend to the Istanbul-Ankara flight, which will take place at 10:00 am after the ceremony. In this process, KARAISMAILOGLU, who made constant warnings about the social distance rule, made inspections in domestic flight zone with the accompanying delegation.
The event was also attended by Hüseyin Keskin, General Manager of State Airports Authority (DHMI), Chairman of Turkish Airlines Board of Directors and Executive Committee İlker Aycı, and Istanbul Airport Civil Administration Supervisor İsmail Şanlı.
There were 165 passengers on board of the first flight.
