Turkish Airlines to ban alcohol?

[Jacqui Harvey]

Just reading on Facebook that it's in the Turkish press this morning that Turkish Airlines are going to ban alcohol on flights and also ban woman flight crew from wearing red lipstick... Oh Dear! 

[davybill]

shame about the alchohol, haha

[jackstee]

I also read it for the Russian flights only (Alcohol)

[stoop]

Brits should be ok but it's the thin end of the wedge I think. Many domestic routes affected and already quite a few international.

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/ar/contents/articles/opinion/2013/02/turkey-alcohol-ban-turkish-airlines-akp-islamist.html

[Jacqui Harvey]

Yes, I read about the Russian etc., on the net,  but a friend of mine who lives in Fethiye and has a Turkish husband put it on Facebook that it's in the Turkish press this morning that T.A. are going to ban it on all flights. It's what the P.M. wants.

[stoop]

What concerns me is the possibility of a backlash from secular supporters. This article is fairly interesting but its the comments (the few in English I can understand)  that are the real concern. Ataturk created a secular state and some if his supporters would die to protect it.

Stormy waters ahead I think.

http://youtu.be/KRHhf4cmfJo


Sent from my iPad

[Ray1951]

Everyone has their own opinions on this but provided the price of flights is acceptable and the service is good, I personally don't care what the crew wear and as for the ban on alcohol, I don't think it's too much to ask to refrain from booze for 4 hours, especially if you know the rules when you book.  The Turkish Government are slowly implementing rules in accordance with Islamic beliefs, which is causing a worry to some people. Ataturk said that 'politics and religion should not mix' but this is slowly becoming eroded.

[stoop]

It wouldn't bother me personally if all flights were booze free. However it's the reasons behind it that worry me in this instance.

[Marggie]

If the price is right the fact that they don't serve booze wouldn't bother us.  However, in common with lots of other people, we enjoy a drink on our flight - it is all part of the holiday flying experience.

So much for Erdogan's insistence that his reasons for higher taxes on alcohol were purely to raise revenue!!

[Jacqui Harvey]

Not having alcohol on a flight would not bother me either.  It's the doctrine behind this that worries me and why the heck should a woman not wear red lipstick? and why are these rules always imposed on females?.
I hear this Prime Minister is in line to be President next!!  Ataturk wanted a secular Turkey, seems this guy wants to change all the rules..