If you're flying to or from Turkey and your flight gets cancelled or delayed, you might be covered by Turkey's passenger rights law called SHY. It's Turkey's version of the UK's UK261 regulation, and it came into force on 1 January 2012.
SHY works differently from UK261 in some important ways, especially when it comes to delays. This guide explains what SHY actually covers, when it applies to your flight, and what you're entitled to if things go wrong.
Key takeaways
- SHY is Turkey’s passenger rights regulation, introduced in 2012 under Turkish Civil Aviation Law to protect travellers when flights are cancelled, delayed, or overbooked.
- The regulation applies to flights leaving Turkey, domestic flights within Turkey, and flights operated by Turkish airlines, even if they depart from another country.
- Compensation for cancellations and denied boarding ranges from £85 to £510 per passenger, depending on the distance of the flight.
- Unlike UK261, delays alone usually do not trigger financial compensation, but airlines must still provide care such as meals, drinks, accommodation, and communication while you wait.
- Passengers must have a confirmed booking and check in on time to qualify for protection, although cancelled flights are covered even if you did not have the chance to check in.
- If airlines refuse to comply with SHY rules, passengers can escalate complaints through the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) or pursue legal action.
What is Turkey’s SHY-Passenger rights?
SHY stands for Sivil Havacılık Yönetmeliği, which translates to “Civil Aviation Regulation”, but everyone just calls it SHY. It's the set of rules under Turkish Civil Aviation Law that protects air passengers travelling to, from, or within Turkey.
The Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) oversees these rules, which were brought in during 2012 to bring Turkey's passenger protections in line with international standards, particularly the UK's UK261 and the EU's Regulation 261/2004.
What is the purpose of SHY-Passenger rights laws?
The whole point of SHY is to make sure you get fair treatment when flights to or from Turkey are delayed, cancelled, or overbooked. That means financial compensation in some situations, plus immediate help like meals, hotels, and phone calls when you're stuck at the airport.
Even though SHY is quite similar to UK261, there are some key differences, particularly around how delays are handled and what compensation you can get.
When do SHY-Passenger rights apply?
These rules cover you in the following situations:
- Flights leaving Turkey: Any commercial flight departing from a Turkish airport falls under SHY, regardless of which airline you're flying with. So, whether you're flying from Istanbul, Antalya, Ankara, or any other Turkish airport, you're protected.
- Flights operated by Turkish carriers: If you're flying with Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, AnadoluJet, or any other Turkish carrier, SHY applies to your flight, even if you're departing from outside Turkey.
- Domestic flights within Turkey: All flights between Turkish cities are covered.
Who is eligible for protection?
To qualify for protection under the SHY Passenger Rights Regulation, you must have a confirmed reservation for your flight and arrive at check-in on time. If the airline does not specify a check-in deadline, you should arrive at least 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
If your flight is cancelled before check-in opens, you are still protected under SHY. Airlines cannot deny your rights simply because you were unable to complete check-in.
The regulation also applies if the airline transfers you to another flight, whether on the same airline or a different one.
Passengers travelling on tickets purchased with frequent flyer miles or reward points are also covered, provided the ticket was issued through a public loyalty programme. Certain discounted fares, including some staff or promotional tickets, may also qualify for protection depending on the conditions of the ticket.
When SHY-Passenger rights may not apply
In some situations, SHY passenger protections might not cover your flight. This can happen if:
- Your ticket was completely free. If you booked your flight using frequent flyer miles or loyalty points, you are still covered. However, tickets issued entirely free of charge usually are not eligible.
- You did not check in or arrive at the gate on time. To qualify for protection, you need to follow the airline’s check in and boarding deadlines.
- The disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline’s control. This could include things like severe weather, security risks, airport closures, or air traffic control restrictions. But even in these situations, airlines may still offer help such as rebooking you on another flight or providing assistance at the airport, depending on the circumstances.
Compensation amounts under SHY
Under the SHY Passenger Regulation, compensation amounts are defined in euros, but airlines usually pay passengers in Turkish lira (TRY). The amount is converted using the Central Bank of Turkey exchange rate that applied on the date the ticket was purchased.
Compensation should be paid using standard payment methods, such as a bank transfer or cheque. Airlines may sometimes offer travel vouchers instead of cash, but they can only do this if you agree to accept the voucher in writing. If you do not agree, you have the right to receive the compensation as a monetary payment.
The exact amount of compensation depends on the distance of your flight, with longer journeys qualifying for higher payments under the SHY rules.
Flight Distance | Compensation Amount |
Domestic flights within Turkey | £85 (€100 / ~3,200 TL) |
International flights up to 1,500 km | £215 (€250 / ~8,000 TL) |
International flights 1,500–3,500 km | £340 (€400 / ~12,800 TL) |
International flights over 3,500 km | £510 (€600 / ~19,400 TL) |
3 important points about SHY compensation
- Each passenger receives compensation individually
If you are travelling with family or in a group, each eligible passenger is entitled to their own compensation. This means the payment is not made per booking, but per passenger. - Children can qualify for compensation
Children and infants may also qualify for SHY compensation as long as they have a paid ticket. If the ticket was purchased for them, they are generally entitled to the same compensation amount as adult passengers. - Compensation is separate from your refund or rebooking
If your flight is cancelled, the airline must offer you a choice between a refund or an alternative flight to your destination. If you qualify for SHY compensation, this payment is separate from those options. You can still receive compensation in addition to a refund or a replacement flight.
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How does SHY compare to UK261?
If you're used to UK261, it's worth understanding where SHY is similar and where it's different.
What it covers | SHY (Turkey) | UK261 (United Kingdom) |
Delays | No automatic compensation | Automatic compensation for arrivals 3+ hours late |
Cancellations | £85-£510 (€100-€600) depending on distance | £220-£520 depending on distance |
Denied boarding | £85-£510 (€100-€600) depending on distance | £220-£520 depending on distance |
Domestic flights | £85 (€100) | £220 (minimum) |
Which flights | Leaving Turkey + Turkish airlines | Leaving UK + UK airlines to UK |
Care during delays | Kicks in after 2-4 hours depending on distance | Kicks in after 2-4 hours depending on distance |
Extraordinary circumstances | Airline doesn't pay compensation | Airline doesn't pay compensation |
The law | Turkish Civil Aviation Law (2012) | UK Regulation 261/2004 (retained EU law) |
Who enforces it | Turkish DGCA | UK CAA |
How SHY-Passenger rights are enforced
Your passenger rights are enforced by the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is the government authority responsible for overseeing civil aviation in Turkey. The DGCA ensures that airlines operating in the country follow the rules designed to protect travellers when disruptions occur. To do this effectively, DGCA:
- Monitors airline practices,
- Reviews whether carriers comply with SHY requirements, and
- Investigates passenger complaints when travellers believe their rights have not been respected.
As part of these investigations, the DGCA can request documentation from airlines, audit their procedures, and examine how they handle passenger disruptions.
If an airline is found to have violated the regulation, the DGCA can require the airline to correct its practices and may impose administrative penalties. While SHY does not publish fixed fine amounts, the authority can still take enforcement action, particularly when airlines repeatedly fail to comply with passenger protection rules.
The regulation also includes several safeguards to prevent airlines from avoiding their obligations
- Your rights cannot easily be waived
If an airline offers you a smaller payment or settlement than you are entitled to, accepting it does not automatically prevent you from pursuing the remaining compensation later. - Airlines must inform passengers of their rights
Airlines are required to notify passengers about their rights, including compensation and assistance during disruptions. If an airline fails to properly inform you, you still retain the right to make a claim. - Airline terms cannot override SHY protections
Airlines cannot use ticket conditions, terms and conditions, or small-print policies to limit or remove the protections provided by the regulation.
In practice, this means airlines cannot rely on confusing policies or fine print to avoid their legal responsibilities. If your SHY rights are not respected, you can still pursue compensation or submit a complaint to the DGCA for review.
Passenger rights regulations like SHY are designed to create accountability in situations where travellers have very little control. When a flight is cancelled or passengers are denied boarding, the regulation sets out clear obligations for airlines, from providing assistance at the airport to paying compensation in certain cases. Understanding these rules helps passengers recognise when an airline has a legal duty to act. – Michael Higgins, Aviation Solicitor of England & Wales
Why Turkey’s passenger rights rules matter for travellers
Turkey has become one of the world’s most important aviation hubs. In fact, Istanbul Airport handled more than 76 million passengers in 2024, making it one of the busiest airports globally.
Plus, several major airlines including Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, and SunExpress operate extensive networks connecting Turkey to dozens of countries across several continents. These 3 carriers connect travellers from Europe to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, and often use Istanbul as a major transfer hub. Because of this, flight disruptions in Turkey can affect passengers travelling thousands of kilometres from home. This is why clear passenger rights are particularly important.
Summary
Turkey’s SHY Passenger Regulation gives air travellers a clear set of rights when flights are cancelled, overbooked, or significantly disrupted. It explains when airlines must provide compensation, refunds, rebooking, and assistance such as meals or accommodation.
While the rules share similarities with UK261 and EU261, SHY also has important differences, particularly when it comes to flight delays. Because Turkey sits at the centre of many international travel routes, understanding how SHY works can help passengers know what support they are entitled to and what steps they can take if an airline fails to meet its obligations.
