Arkia Israel Airlines, which is planning to start flights to Antalya this summer at a rate of four to six a week, recently requested the Turkish government provide a flight-specific security area for Israeli flights at the Antalya Airport. The request was rejected by Turkey. In a written statement addressed to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arkia requested the right to begin running regular flights between Tel Aviv and the Turkish resort city of Antalya. The Israeli airline also listed as conditions a flight specific security area, the right to oversee security provisions themselves and the right to use devices of their own in order to ensure the safety of their passengers. “Turkey does not possess any specific security areas at international airports. Why does Israel need to have a specific security area at Turkish airports?” Turkish diplomatic sources said. Diplomatic sources added that such special security areas will not be established at Turkish airports and that if the Israeli airline continues to insist, Arkia will not be allowed to offer flights between Tel Aviv and Antalya.
Arkia Israel Airlines further requested an additional space to run extra baggage and security checks near check-in points and boarding gates. The Israeli airline also added that it was important for them to have private rooms to question or conduct further security checks of suspicious passengers.
Arkia Airlines refused additional security
