Former National Security Coordinator Mr. Edward Yaw Donkor has sued Turkish Airlines over what is alleged to be a breach of service agreement between the parties.
Mr. Donkor, who is 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 in accordance with the terms of their service contract which guarantees a suit at the Istanbul Airport for all travelers with extended layovers .
According to him, Turkish Airlines’ policy, as stated on its website and the ticket purchased by him, guarantees suites for transit passengers with extended layovers of 8 hours or more.
However, the airline refused to honor this policy, forcing Mr. Donkor to incur the additional expenses of €350 for accommodation at a hotel inside the airport.
Mr. Donkor further claims that despite filing formal complaints and sending letters through his lawyers, Turkish Airlines failed to acknowledge or address any of his concerns, which prompted him to seek legal action.
Reliefs sought
The plaintiff in his action at the Circuit Court seeks the following reliefs
a). A declaration that as a Business Class passenger on Turkish Airlines flight number TK 630 from Accra to Havana, Cuba with a layover of more than eight (8) hours in Istanbul, Turkey, the Plaintiff was entitled to be provided with a suit at Istanbul Airport by the Defendant pursuant to the terms of the contract of carriage between the parties.
b). A declaration that the refusal and for neglect of the Defendant to provide a suit to the Plaintiff at the Istanbul Airport constitutes a breach of the said contract of carriage entered into by and between the parties.
c). An order for the recovery of the total amount of Three Hundred and Fifty Euros (€350.00) being the amount of money the Plaintiff spent on providing accommodation for himself at the Yotel Air Hotel due to the Defendant’s breach of the contract of carriage between the parties.
d). Interest on (c) above at the prevailing commercial rate applicable in Ghana- General damages for breach of contract, Cost including lawyer’s fees and Any further or other orders(s) as the Honourable Court may deem fit.
Turkish Airline’s Defence
In a Statement of Defence filed on its behalf in court on January 31, 2025, Turkish Airlines acknowledges the incident but declines liability on the basis that its free hotel facilities provided to passengers with long layovers are outside the transit area.
The Airline also contends that, passengers who desire to take advantage of that arrangement are required to independently secure entry visas before that can access these hotels
On February 3, 2025 , the Court awarded cost against Turkish Airlines for filing its defence late and adjourned the case to take its normal course.
