UPDATE: Former BBC editor Mark Mardell has been left “humiliated” after Turkish Airlines denied him boarding due to his Parkinson’s disease. The incident occurred on October 20, 2023, during a return trip to the UK from Turkey, where Mardell was traveling with his son, Jake, 32.
Mardell, 68, experienced no issues when flying out with Wizz Air, but was abruptly blocked from boarding the Turkish Airlines flight unless he provided a doctor’s letter confirming he was fit to fly. The airline’s sudden requirement, not mentioned prior to the trip, left him stranded as Jake had to take a separate flight home.
In a powerful statement on Facebook, Mardell expressed his outrage: “Let’s be clear: this isn’t about paperwork. It’s prejudice dressed up as policy. It’s ignorant, insulting, and frankly medieval.” He recounted how staff members pointed out his shaking hands, a symptom of stress rather than his condition. “I feel so humiliated,” he told The Times. “It’s this terrible feeling that you are so vulnerable. I nearly burst into tears about five times.”
Despite being a recognized public figure, Mardell faced no assistance from the airline during this distressing experience. A fellow passenger ultimately helped him retrieve his luggage, while Jake arranged a hotel for his father and booked him on a Wizz Air flight the following day—an airline that did not request medical documentation.
Upon returning home, Mardell filed a formal complaint with Turkish Airlines. In an unexpected response, an employee wished him a “speedy recovery,” despite the fact that Parkinson’s is incurable. According to Turkish Airlines’ policy, passengers with Parkinson’s must carry a doctor’s report stating it is safe for them to travel. However, the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has declared such blanket policies unlawful, stating that medical proof can only be requested when there is “reasonable doubt” about a passenger’s ability to fly safely.
On Wednesday, Turkish Airlines contacted Mardell to offer a full refund for his missed flight in light of the incident. The situation has sparked widespread criticism, with Caroline Rassell, chief executive of Parkinson’s UK, penning a letter to Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Eksi. Rassell condemned the airline’s policy as “ill-informed” and “totally unnecessary,” asserting it stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the condition.
Mardell, originally from Banstead, Surrey, has made significant contributions to journalism during his 25 years at the BBC, serving as Europe and North America editor and hosting The World This Weekend on BBC Radio 4 before leaving in 2020. He is currently one of six presenters of the popular podcast Movers and Shakers, which chronicles life with Parkinson’s.
This incident raises urgent questions about airline policies regarding passengers with disabilities. As the conversation continues, many are urging for more informed and compassionate approaches in the travel industry. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
