If your Turkish Airlines flight was delayed by more than 3 hours or cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice, you may be owed €250 to €600 — regardless of what the ticket cost.
Updated 23 September 2026 · FlightFund editorial team
Turkish Airlines is not registered in the EU. The regulation only applies to flights departing from an EU/EEA airport. The reverse direction is not covered.
Country of registration: Türkiye. Main hubs: Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya.
A key nuance: Turkish Airlines is not registered in the EU. The regulation only applies to flights departing FROM an EU airport — Berlin → Istanbul, for example. The return leg, and Istanbul → Moscow routes, are outside its scope.
| Flight distance | Delay 3–4 hours | Delay 4+ hours or cancellation |
|---|---|---|
| up to 1,500 km | €250 | €250 |
| 1,500 – 3,500 km | €400 | €400 |
| over 3,500 km | €300 | €600 |
Full table: UK261 amounts, real routes and the 50% reduction rule →
Paid per passenger holding a separate ticket, children included
Turkey is outside the EU but has applied the national SHY-PASSENGER regulation since 2011, largely modelled on EU261. Complaints go to the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM). The limitation period is 2 years.
Only “extraordinary circumstances” release a carrier: dangerous weather, air traffic control strikes, airspace closures, security requirements, bird strikes.
These do not and compensation remains due: aircraft technical faults, strikes by the airline’s own staff, scheduling problems, late crew, overbooking.
According to the AirHelp report, roughly 52% of rejections turn out to be unjustified — carriers most often cite weather where the real cause was a technical fault. Court of Justice case law on refusals.
What to write if Turkish Airlines refuses anyway: 15 refusal wordings analysed →
The fee is deducted only from the compensation recovered. No payout — no fee.
The period depends on the jurisdiction where the carrier is registered. For flights from the EU, follow the law of the country of departure.
At arrival — from the moment the aircraft door opens at the final destination (Court of Justice, C-452/13).
Yes, the amount depends only on flight distance, not on the fare.
A refusal is not the final word. According to AirHelp, 52% of rejections turn out to be unjustified. Ask the airline to state the exact cause in writing and to document it, then escalate to the national enforcement body of the carrier's country of registration.
Base airports and key destinations for Turkish Airlines. Each airport page covers the rules for departures from there and the local enforcement body.