Mon, 27 Oct 2025

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 Ex-BBC editor stopped from flying due to Parkinson's felt 'humiliated'

Mark Mardell was left feeling 'humiliated' after he was told he could not board a flight.
Former BBC presenter Mark Mardell was left humiliated and stranded at Istanbul airport after being told he couldn't board his Turkish Airlines flight due to having Parkinson's disease without a doctor's report. The journalist, who had no issues with other airlines, claimed that the airline's policy is "prejudice dressed up as policy" and "ignorant, insulting, and medieval". He expressed his disappointment on Facebook, stating that he was not considered fit to fly just because of his medical condition. Turkish Airlines' website states that passengers with Parkinson's disease need a doctor's report stating they are safe to travel, but Mr Mardell pointed out that other major airlines do not have this requirement. He eventually returned home the following day with Wizz Air after being stranded at the airport for hours and hopes to raise awareness about Turkish Airlines' policy to prevent others from experiencing similar difficulties.
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