Complaints had increased: Erdoğan's instruction: 'Solve this, hold those responsible accountable'

In recent days, flight delays in airline transportation have begun to increase. 

The air traffic controllers, who launched a protest by switching to a "work-to-rule" system to demand salary increases and improvements in personal rights, were brought up at the latest AKP Central Executive Board (MKYK) meeting. According to a report by the Türkiye newspaper, known for its proximity to the government, it was learned that at the meeting, AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, "Solve this immediately, do whatever is necessary, and hold those responsible accountable."

It was stated that Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy noted at the meeting that tourism was being negatively affected by the passive protest and that an urgent solution must be produced. According to the information obtained, Ersoy stated that Antalya and Sabiha Gökçen airports were the most affected by this situation, and pointed out that the slowing of flights created many negative effects, noting that while an average of 45 planes could land per day, this number had dropped to the 30s, and that there was a loss of 7-8 minutes per plane, which carried a heavy financial burden. Upon Ersoy's statement that this situation had been negatively affecting the system since June, it was learned that Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated they would resolve the issue.

"WE WILL HIRE NEW ONES IF NECESSARY"

A cabinet member allegedly said, "They are already receiving high salaries. If we give them a share of the flight revenues, then the ground services staff and other personnel will make the same demand and go on strike. We cannot stop this. They are saying, 'Give us our money and we will use our initiative; if you don't, we won't.' This is blackmail against the state. If they don't want to work, let them go; we will hire new ones if necessary. No one should think they can hold the state hostage with blackmail. We will hire new staff here, provide training, and if necessary, we will let those thousand people go."

WILL CONTINUE UNTIL AUGUST 5

On the other hand, the Air Traffic Controllers and Other Transport Workers Union (HTK-SEN) has announced new dates for the work-to-rule activity. Accordingly, the union, which decided to carry out the work-to-rule activity as of yesterday (Thursday), announced that they would continue their protests until August 5. In the statement made by the union, it was said, "Costs are being increased across Europe through air traffic controllers. The demands for the improvement of the professional conditions of our air traffic controllers and the resolution of long-standing problems regarding their personal rights will provide additional tax revenues to our treasury without placing any burden (zero) on our state's budget. These demands are of a nature that can be met very easily with a few simple regulations that can be made in some laws."