Business class flights for MPs stir new debate in Parliament

ISTANBUL

Hürriyet Photo

A new debate has erupted in Turkish Parliament after a deputy from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) introduced a motion, asking why some deputies fly in business class while others travel in economy class, daily Hürriyet has reported.

Parliament’s deputy chairman, Mehmet Sağlam, recently responded to the motion, saying all Turkish deputies fly in business class with Turkish Airlines, barring a lack of seats due to reservation delays related to deputies’ shifting schedules.

“THY upgrades deputies’ economy-class tickets to business class to provide them first-class travel as a unilateral arrangement,” Sağlam said. “If there is no [business class] ticket, an economy class ticket is bought and [the deputy] is listed as standby for business class.”