Half term warning issued to holidaying Brits over security at airports in Turkey
by Catherine Addison-Swan · ChronicleLiveBritish tourists heading to Turkey this October half term have been warned that they may face increased waits while going through security at the country's airports following a terrorist attack.
The Foreign Office has updated its official advice for Brits travelling to the country, following an attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries' facility in Kahramankaza, 40km north-west of the capital Ankara. The attack on Wednesday, October 23, resulted in five deaths and 22 injuries, as well as the deaths of the two assailants.
Following the incident, security has been ramped up at airports across Turkey with extra measures in place. This means that security checks "will take longer than normal", the Foreign Office warned, with holidaymakers advised to leave more time than usual to get through the airport before their flight.
Anyone planning to travel to the area near the attack is urged to follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media. The Foreign Office continues to advise against all travel to within 10km of the Turkey-Syria border due to "fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism", warning that travel insurance could be invalidated if tourists travel against their advice.
Official advice warns that terrorist attacks are "very likely" in Turkey and could target places visited by foreign nationals, such as public buildings, places of worship and large public gatherings. In February, one person was killed in an armed attack on a courthouse in Istanbul, and in January one person was killed by two gunmen in a church in Sariyer.
The Foreign Office says: "Most terrorist attacks have occurred in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul. You should remain aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities."
To enter Turkey, your passport must have an expiry date at least 150 days after the date you arrive in the country, and at least one blank page. It is also illegal in Turkey not to carry some form of photo ID, so be sure to always carry your passport as authorities often stop people in busy areas, particularly Istanbul, for random ID checks.
You can find more Turkey travel advice on the Foreign Office website.
Join our WhatsApp communities
ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community
Join our Court & Crime community
Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community
Join our Northumberland community
Join our County Durham community
Join our Great North Run community