Turkish lawmakers criticize DHMİ over airport projects and labor rights

During a Turkish Grand National Assembly State Economic Enterprises (KİT) Commission meeting, lawmakers raised several concerns regarding the State Airports Authority (DHMİ).

CHP Niğde Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer criticized the long-delayed Niğde Airport, which has remained unfinished for 30 years, and questioned the passenger guarantees provided to airports operated under the build-operate-transfer model. Gürer also addressed working conditions for subcontracted workers, describing them as “modern slavery,” and called for greater transparency regarding advertising revenues and expenditures.

Additionally, Yeni Parti Çorum Deputy Mehmet Tahtasız criticized the perceived neglect of Çorum in national airport planning. He noted that while airports were constructed in nearby provinces like Yozgat and Kastamonu, the Çorum airport project, which began in 1999, remains incomplete. Tahtasız urged for increased flight frequencies at Merzifon Airport and suggested renaming it “ÇAM Airport” to represent the Çorum-Amasya-Merzifon region.