Flight delays, cancellations, and overbooking can happen to any traveler. Under the SHY Passenger Regulation, passengers may be entitled to compensation and assistance, but many are unsure if these rights apply to them.

Do you need to be a Turkish citizen? Are low-cost airline passengers covered? What about children or travelers with discounted tickets?

In this guide, we’ll explain exactly who is covered by SHY passenger rights in Turkey, so you can understand your eligibility and know what to expect if your flight is disrupted.

Who Is Covered by SHY Passenger Rights in Turkey?

Do you need to be a Turkish citizen? Are low-cost airlines or children covered? What about discounted tickets?

Continue reading to find out.

1. Passengers on Flights Departing From Turkey

Any passenger is covered if their flight departs from a Turkish airport, regardless of airline nationality.

Examples:

• Istanbul → London (any airline)
• Antalya → Berlin (any airline)

All airlines must comply with the SHY Passenger Regulation when delays, cancellations, or denied boarding occur.

2. Passengers Arriving in Turkey on Turkish Carriers

Passengers flying to Turkey on a Turkish airline are also protected.

Examples:

• London → Istanbul on Turkish Airlines
• Berlin → Antalya on Pegasus Airlines

If the flight is delayed or cancelled, SHY rights apply.

However, if your flight arrives in Turkey on a non-Turkish airline, SHY usually does not apply. That said, if the airline is based in the EU or UK, their passenger rights rules, such as EU Regulation 261/2004 (or UK 261), may still apply, meaning you could still be entitled to compensation under those regulations.

Read more: Turkish Airlines Compensation Under SHY Regulation

3. Domestic Flights Within Turkey

All passengers on flights between Turkish cities are covered.

Examples:

• Istanbul → Ankara
• Izmir → Antalya

Domestic passengers are entitled to compensation (typically around €100 equivalent) for eligible disruptions.

Flight Distance	Compensation
Domestic flights within Turkey	€100
Up to 1,500 km	€250
1,500–3,500 km	€400
Over 3,500 km	€600

4. Passengers of Any Nationality

Passengers do not need to be Turkish citizens to claim compensation under the SHY Passenger Regulation.

If a flight is cancelled, delayed by 3 hours or more, or overbooked due to the airline’s fault, compensation may be claimed regardless of nationality.

The same applies to the right to care. All passengers are entitled to assistance (meals, communication, accommodation if needed) during long delays, as long as they meet the eligibility conditions.

5. Infants and Children

Children and infants are also protected under SHY.

If a flight disruption qualifies for compensation, children are entitled to the same compensation as adults. This can also apply to infants, depending on the ticket conditions, even if they are not occupying a separate seat.

Compensation amounts can reach up to €600, depending on the flight distance.

6. Passengers With Cheap or Discounted Tickets

The price of the ticket does not affect eligibility for compensation.

Passengers who booked:

• Discounted fares
• Promotional tickets
• Award tickets using miles

are still fully entitled to compensation if the disruption meets SHY criteria.

7. Passengers Flying With Low-Cost Airlines

Passengers flying with low-cost airlines are also covered under SHY.

Airlines such as:

• Pegasus Airlines
• SunExpress

must follow the same passenger rights rules as full-service airlines like Turkish Airlines.

If the airline is responsible for the disruption, compensation applies regardless of the type of airline.

However, for European low-cost airlines, the rules depend on the route:

• If the flight departs from Turkey, SHY applies (regardless of airline).
• If the flight departs from the EU/UK and arrives in Turkey, SHY usually does not apply. Instead, EU Regulation 261/2004 or UK passenger rights rules may apply.

8. Passengers Without Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not required to claim compensation under SHY.

Passenger rights are based on the airline’s responsibility for the disruption, not on whether the passenger has insurance. If the airline is at fault, compensation may be claimed even without any insurance coverage.

Featured image by Engin Akyurt from Pexels