Turkish Airlines Faces Backlash Over Baggage Mishaps on Antalya-Moscow Flights

Between June and August 2025, Turkish Airlines faced major baggage mishaps on Antalya-Moscow flights, resulting in hundreds of lost bags and flight delays. Russian authorities initiated investigations, urging urgent improvements in baggage handling. Passengers are advised to file property irregularity reports and keep documentation for claims.

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Key takeaways

Turkish Airlines faced baggage mishandling on Antalya-Moscow flights between June and August 2025 affecting hundreds.
Rosaviatsia began investigation June 14; special flight TK4911 delivered missing luggage via Boeing 777.
Up to 60% of Turkish Airlines flights to Moscow delayed or canceled in late May 2025.

Turkish Airlines is under intense scrutiny after repeated baggage mishaps on flights from Antalya to Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport left hundreds of passengers without their checked luggage during the busy summer travel season. The situation, which has unfolded between June and early August 2025, has sparked investigations by Russian authorities and led to growing frustration among travelers and tour operators.

In early August 2025, dozens of passengers arriving in Moscow from Antalya reported missing checked baggage, adding to a series of similar incidents throughout the summer. Many travelers described arriving at Vnukovo Airport only to find that entire flights’ worth of luggage had not been delivered. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these problems have affected hundreds of Russian tourists, with some waiting days for their belongings.

Turkish Airlines Faces Backlash Over Baggage Mishaps on Antalya-Moscow Flights
Turkish Airlines Faces Backlash Over Baggage Mishaps on Antalya-Moscow Flights

Rosaviatsia, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, officially launched an investigation into Turkish Airlines’ baggage handling on June 14, 2025. Working with the Russian Ministry of Transport, the agency deployed extra staff at Vnukovo Airport to help process passenger claims and search for missing bags. Artem Korenyako, a spokesperson for Rosaviatsia, said, “We are closely supervising the situation and expect Turkish Airlines to take urgent steps to resolve these issues.”

Vnukovo Airport’s press service announced that missing baggage from several Turkish Airlines flights—including TK3024, TK3152, TK3140, and TK1231—would be delivered by a special flight, TK4911, arriving at 22:20 Moscow time. The airline used a Boeing 777 to transport the delayed luggage in bulk, hoping to speed up the return of passengers’ belongings.

The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) reported that Turkish Airlines had canceled or delayed up to 60% of its flights to Moscow in late May 2025. These disruptions, caused mainly by operational restrictions at Moscow airports, made baggage handling even more difficult and led to a backlog of lost or delayed luggage.

As of August 5, 2025, the baggage mishap situation remains under active investigation. Russian authorities have advised Turkish Airlines to urgently improve its baggage loading technology and logistics to prevent further problems. Both Vnukovo Airport and Turkish Airlines have increased staffing to process claims more quickly, but many passengers still face long waits and inconvenience.

Despite the ongoing crisis, Turkish Airlines has not announced any new baggage policy changes in direct response to these incidents. The airline’s general baggage policy for international flights remains the same: Economy Class passengers may check one bag up to 23 kg, while Business Class passengers can check one bag up to 32 kg, with strict size limits of 158 cm in total linear dimensions. For lost or delayed baggage, Turkish Airlines requires passengers to file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport or online within 21 days for delayed baggage and within 7 days for damaged baggage. Claims must include supporting documents such as a passport, boarding pass, baggage tag, an itemized list of contents, photos, and receipts.

💡 Tip
Always keep essential items and valuables in your carry-on luggage when flying, especially during peak travel seasons. This ensures you have what you need in case of baggage delays.

Baggage may be delivered to the passenger’s address or collected at the airport, depending on customs rules. Passengers can track their baggage status online using their PIR reference number or by contacting the airport’s baggage service office. For more details on how to file a claim or track lost baggage, travelers can visit the official Turkish Airlines baggage issues page.

The impact of these mishaps has been significant. Hundreds of passengers have been affected, with some entire flights arriving in Moscow without any checked baggage. During the worst periods, up to 60% of Turkish Airlines flights to Moscow were delayed or canceled, making it even harder to transfer and deliver luggage. Many passengers reported waiting several hours at Vnukovo Airport to file claims, and some waited days for their baggage to be delivered.

Key stakeholders have weighed in on the crisis. Rosaviatsia is leading the investigation and demanding urgent corrective action from Turkish Airlines. The Russian Ministry of Transport is coordinating regulatory oversight. Turkish Airlines has not issued a detailed public statement on the root cause but is cooperating with Russian authorities and has promised to improve baggage logistics. Vnukovo Airport is working to communicate with affected passengers and speed up claim processing. ATOR is monitoring the situation and advising travelers on what to do if their baggage is lost or delayed.

For passengers affected by these baggage mishaps, the recommended steps are:

⚠️ Important
If your baggage is delayed or lost, file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) immediately. Delaying this step could jeopardize your claim for compensation.
  • File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport or online as soon as you notice your baggage is missing.
  • Provide all required documentation: passport, boarding pass, baggage tag, itemized list of contents, photos, and receipts.
  • Track the status of your claim online using the PIR reference number or by contacting the airport’s baggage service office.
  • Arrange for delivery or collection of your baggage as instructed by Turkish Airlines or the airport if your bag is found.
  • Submit compensation claims for delayed baggage expenses or lost items with supporting receipts and documentation within the required deadlines.

Aviation experts say the surge in baggage mishaps is likely due to a mix of increased summer travel demand, operational restrictions at Moscow airports, and possible weaknesses in Turkish Airlines’ baggage handling systems. Russian authorities have warned that if the problems continue, Turkish Airlines could face regulatory penalties or further restrictions on its operations in Russia. Tour operators and passenger advocacy groups are urging the airline to invest in better baggage tracking and logistics technology.

Turkish Airlines has long enjoyed a strong reputation for service, but baggage mishandling incidents have increased in 2024 and 2025, especially on Russia-bound flights during peak travel periods. The current crisis is the most severe in recent years, leading to unprecedented regulatory scrutiny and public criticism in both Russia and Turkey.

🔔 Reminder
Keep all travel documents, including your PIR reference number, boarding pass, and receipts, organized and accessible. You may need them to track your baggage or file a claim.

Looking ahead, the Russian government’s investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected in the coming weeks. Turkish Airlines is under pressure to show real improvements in baggage handling and customer service. If the situation does not improve quickly, more regulatory measures or operational restrictions may be imposed. Passengers are advised to monitor official Turkish Airlines and Vnukovo Airport channels for updates and to keep all travel documents in case they need to file claims.

For official information on lost and found procedures at Vnukovo Airport, travelers can visit the Vnukovo Airport Lost & Found page. For broader aviation oversight, the Rosaviatsia website provides updates on regulatory actions.

In summary, passengers flying Turkish Airlines from Antalya to Moscow should be prepared for possible baggage delays. Keeping valuables and essentials in carry-on luggage, filing claims promptly, and retaining all documentation are the best ways to protect yourself. The situation remains fluid, and travelers should stay informed through official channels as investigations and corrective actions continue.

VisaVerge.com
Learn Today

Rosaviatsia → Russian Federal Air Transport Agency overseeing aviation safety and regulations within Russia.
Property Irregularity Report (PIR) → A formal report filed by passengers to claim lost, delayed, or damaged baggage.
Vnukovo Airport → A major airport serving Moscow, Russia, affected by baggage handling issues in this case.
Turkish Airlines → The national airline of Turkey operating international flights including Antalya to Moscow routes.
Baggage logistics → The processes of handling, tracking, and delivering passenger luggage during air travel.

This Article in a Nutshell

Turkish Airlines struggles with severe baggage mishandling on Antalya to Moscow flights amid high summer travel demand and airport restrictions, triggering official investigations and disrupting hundreds of travelers throughout summer 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com
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