Try GOLD - Free
What’s with the incessant security checks in Turkey?
The Independent
|September 02, 2025
Q Can you help me with something? I am currently at the departure gate at Bodrum airport in Turkey, waiting for a delayed flight. We have already been searched twice, and now, if I want to leave to go to the toilet, I have to be searched on reentry. From the limited enquiries I have been able to make, the airport seems to blame the airline, which in turn says the UK government requires it. Can you shed any light on this disagreeable state of affairs?

The background is that Turkey has had a long history of terrorist attacks, some of them aimed at tourists. The Foreign Office warns: “Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey.” In 2017, the UK followed the US in imposing, at very short notice, a cabin-baggage ban on “large phones, laptops and tablets” in response to an alert about a possible attack on a civilian aircraft. This prohibition affected a number of north African and Middle Eastern countries a
This story is from the September 02, 2025 edition of The Independent.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Independent

The Independent
Immigration battle will make or break Labour government
If the Labour Party - the Labour government, indeed - appears to be running scared from Nigel Farage and Reform UK, it's because it jolly well should be.
3 mins
September 30, 2025

The Independent
Mahmood's border policies will test the party faithful
With Labour trailing Reform UK in the polls, Sir Keir Starmer's leadership has been questioned, with Greater Manchester mayor Mr Burnham claiming he had been urged by some MPs to challenge him.
3 mins
September 30, 2025

The Independent
Fears for Eden Project as visitor numbers plummet
The Eden Project has announced its results for a challenging year, marked by a decline in visitor numbers, losses that have more than doubled, and significant job cuts.
1 mins
September 30, 2025

The Independent
Can the chancellor really solve youth unemployment?
Rachel Reeves has pledged to “abolish” long-term youth unemployment, targeting those aged 18 to 24 years who’ve been, broadly speaking, out of work, education or training for 18 months, and on universal credit.
3 mins
September 30, 2025

The Independent
PM pledges 'decency' over Farage's divisive 'decline'
Sir Keir Starmer will step up his attack on Nigel Farage by telling voters that Britain faces a historic choice between his “decency” and the Reform leader’s “division”.
4 mins
September 30, 2025

The Independent
Will my Greek holiday be affected by French strikes?
Q Is the French air traffic strike still going ahead from 7 October? Unfortunately, I'm flying home from Crete that day?.
1 mins
September 30, 2025

The Independent
Three bold World Cup calls that paid off for England
England have won the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2014 after a 33-13 win over Canada in the final.
4 mins
September 30, 2025

The Independent
Moldova chooses EU party
Decisive election win amid claims of Russian interference
1 mins
September 30, 2025

The Independent
Rowling accuses Watson of 'ignorance' over trans row
JK Rowling has attacked “ignorant” Emma Watson for using her Harry Potter link to criticise her gender critical views – and rejected the former child star’s claim that she treasures her despite their differences.
2 mins
September 30, 2025

The Independent
How brazen shoplifters are terrorising our high streets
The trend for stealing in bulk is alarming consumers and pushing up prices.
6 mins
September 30, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size