UPDATE: Former BBC editor Mark Mardell faced a shocking incident with Turkish Airlines, being denied boarding due to his Parkinson’s disease. The incident occurred on October 20, 2023, as Mardell was returning from a trip to Turkey with his son, Jake. This unsettling experience left him feeling “humiliated” and stranded at the airport.
Mardell, 68, had no issues flying out to Turkey on Wizz Air, but was abruptly informed by Turkish Airlines staff that he needed a doctor’s letter confirming he was fit to fly. With no prior notice of such a requirement, he was left helpless while his son had to board a separate flight.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Mardell expressed his frustration, stating, “Let’s be clear: this isn’t about paperwork. It’s prejudice dressed up as policy.” He described the situation as “ignorant, insulting, and frankly medieval,” emphasizing that the only reason for his treatment was his condition.
Airline staff reportedly insisted that the letter explicitly state he was safe to fly, with one employee commenting, “look at you, your hands are shaking.” Mardell, who noted that the tremors were a result of stress rather than Parkinson’s itself, stated, “I feel so humiliated,” revealing that he felt vulnerable and nearly burst into tears multiple times.
Despite the stress, another passenger came to his aid, assisting him in retrieving his luggage. Jake subsequently arranged a hotel for Mardell and booked him on a Wizz Air flight the next day, which required no medical documentation.
After arriving home, Mardell filed a complaint with Turkish Airlines. In a bewildering response, an employee wished him a “speedy recovery,” despite there being no cure for Parkinson’s.
According to Turkish Airlines’ policy, passengers with Parkinson’s must provide a doctor’s report stating they can safely travel by plane. However, the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) states that such blanket requirements are unlawful. UK carriers can only request medical proof when there is “reasonable doubt” regarding a passenger’s ability to fly safely. The CAA has no jurisdiction over Turkish Airlines, which is not a UK or EU carrier.
On Wednesday, Mardell reported that the airline contacted him to offer a full refund for his missed flight. The incident has sparked widespread criticism, prompting Caroline Rassell, chief executive of Parkinson’s UK, to write to Turkish Airlines’ CEO Bilal Eksi. She condemned the airline’s policy as “ill-informed” and rooted in a misunderstanding of the condition.
Mardell, originally from Banstead, Surrey, spent over 25 years in journalism at the BBC, serving as a Europe and North America editor before leaving in 2020. He now hosts the popular podcast “Movers and Shakers,” which documents life with Parkinson’s.
This incident raises urgent questions about airline policies regarding disabilities and the implications of such discriminatory practices. As Mardell navigates this challenging experience, the focus remains on the need for more compassionate and informed policies for passengers with medical conditions.
