Second Temporary Flight to Turkey, 120 Overseas Koreans Return Home... 110,000 COVID-19 Cases in Turkey

Korean Air Temporary Flight Operation
About 140 Returnees on April 15th via '1st Asiana Airlines Temporary Flight'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] 120 overseas Koreans in Turkey have embarked on their journey home via a Korean Air special flight. These overseas nationals had been stranded locally due to the Turkish government's lockdown measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the 30th (local time), according to the Consulate General in Istanbul and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 120 overseas Koreans in Turkey will return home from Istanbul International Airport on a Korean Air special flight. This is the second such flight since the first special flight to Korea operated on April 15.

The 120 overseas nationals wished to return home amid the spread of COVID-19 in Turkey, but international flights have been restricted. On the 5th, Qatar Airways suspended its Istanbul-Doha route. So far, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Turkey has reached 117,589, with 3,081 deaths. Following an announcement by the Turkish president on the 27th, the Turkish government reimposed a curfew from May 1 to May 3 to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Consulate General in Istanbul set up an information desk at the airport for passengers on the special flight and provided masks, sanitary gloves, and wet wipes. The Consulate General coordinated with the Istanbul provincial government and police department to allow overseas Koreans using the special flight to travel without a travel permit. During this process, the Korean Association in Turkey and Korean Air's Turkey branch also supported the return of overseas Koreans.

Previously, on April 15, about 140 overseas Koreans returned home on an Asiana Airlines special flight. Kim Yeon-kyung, a player active in the Turkish professional women's volleyball team Eczacıba?ı, also returned on that special flight.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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