Turkish Airlines, The Plane That Made Indonesia Forced To Withdraw From All England But Turkish Player Neslihan Yigit Did Not

Turkish Airlines aircraft. (Photo: Instagram @turkishairlines)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian badminton team was forced to withdraw from All England in 2021 because they were traveling on a plane with a passenger was positive for COVID-19. All players also protested to the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

As it is known, the plane that was boarded by Indonesia's badminton stars was Turkish Airlines. However, the question is that the Turkish badminton athlete Neslihan Yigit, who is on the same plane as Indonesian players, can still participate in All England 2021.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Zainudin Amali, said that this is certainly not fair for Indonesia. According to him, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) should have looked at it objectively.

What makes the people of the country even more unwilling to accept is why the Turkish players who are actually the country of the Turkish Airlines can stroll smoothly without having to be forced to withdraw like the Indonesian team?

The beginning of this unpleasant incident for Indonesia was when Marcus Gideon and his friends landed in Birmingham, England, on Saturday, March 13, afternoon local time. They all had time to transit in Istanbul, Turkey, to board the Turkish Airlines airline to Birmingham.

So what is the profile of this Turkish Airlines airline? Turkish Airlines is Turkey's national airline based in Istanbul and operates a network of flights to 120 countries, in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America.

Quoted from the official website of Turkish Airlines, the airline started operations on May 20, 1933, with five aircraft and less than 30 employees. The airline's business journey continues until it turns 87 years old. Currently, Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 362.

"We have the youngest and most modern fleet in Europe. Our fleet is growing rapidly thanks to the purchase of our high-tech, fuel-efficient, and environmentally conscious aircraft that provide a high level of comfort", wrote the management, quoted on Thursday, March 18.

Turkish Airlines also earned the title of the best airline in Europe. Due to an unmatched flight network, a young and modern fleet, comfortable seats, and delicious treats.

Rules for passengers from abroad

On their official website, Turkish Airlines imposes regulations related to COVID-19 for international passengers arriving in Turkey from abroad.

"International passengers arriving in Turkey on March 15, 2021, GMT + 3 (excluding transit passengers and passengers under the age of 6) must complete a Turkish entry form which can be obtained here within 72 hours of their departure", explained Turkish Airlines management.

A printed or mobile screenshot of the completed form must be submitted to the airline crew before boarding. Passengers aged 6 years and over arriving in Turkey must submit a negative PCR test.

"Samples for the test must be taken within 72 hours prior to the passenger's scheduled departure from the country of origin. Please review the Country-specific Entry Restrictions page for more details", added a Turkish Airlines statement.