Donkor, the plaintiff, claims that during his business-class flight from Ghana to Havana, Cuba, in 2024, the airline failed to provide him with accommodation at Istanbul Airport, despite its stated policy guaranteeing a suite for all travelers with extended layovers.
According to him, Turkish Airlines’ policy, as outlined on its website and reflected in his purchased ticket, ensures accommodation for transit passengers with layovers of eight hours or more. However, the airline allegedly refused to honor this policy, forcing him to incur an additional €350 expense for a hotel inside the airport.
Despite filing formal complaints and sending letters through his lawyers, Turkish Airlines allegedly failed to respond or address his concerns, prompting him to take legal action.
Reliefs sought
In his lawsuit filed at the Circuit Court, Donkor seeks the following reliefs:
a) A declaration that, as a business-class passenger on Turkish Airlines Flight TK 630 from Accra to Havana, Cuba, with a layover of more than eight (8) hours in Istanbul, Turkey, he was entitled to a suite at Istanbul Airport, as per the airline’s contract of carriage.
b) A declaration that Turkish Airlines’ refusal to provide the promised accommodation constitutes a breach of the contract of carriage between the parties.
c) An order for reimbursement of €350, the amount Donkor spent on accommodation at Yotel Air Hotel due to the airline’s breach of contract.
d) Interest on the €350 at the prevailing commercial rate in Ghana.
e) General damages for breach of contract.
f) Legal costs, including attorney fees.
g) Any further orders the court deems appropriate.
Turkish Airlines’ defence
In its Statement of Defence filed in court on January 31, 2025, Turkish Airlines acknowledged the incident but denied liability, arguing that its free hotel facilities for passengers with long layovers are located outside the transit area.
The airline also contends that passengers wishing to access these hotels must independently secure entry visas, which Donkor allegedly failed to do.
On February 3, 2025, the court awarded costs against Turkish Airlines for filing its defense late and adjourned the case for further proceedings.
Source: starrfm.com.gh
