May 1, 2023
Good airport with broken wi fi and rude employees. They behave disgustingly at the customs, shout, tear out personal belongings from their hands during the inspection, although they were explained in Turkish what was there and were ready to provide for inspection if questions arose. If a person starts asking why this is so, they threaten that they will call the police, they cannot explain anything, demanding to speak Turkish with them. They call passengers stupid in Turkish, using the address on you. Izmir is a beautiful city, but the level of airport employees has dropped to a minimum, the level is simply unacceptable, the behavior of the employees is terrible. I also worked as an interpreter, as the woman needed medical assistance and escort from the airline and airport staff. She did not receive an answer from the staff to the question of where and how to get this help. They just ignored her. Here is a story on the burning trail.

14/09/22. Unprofessional conduct by airport security, and police who were called, at THIRD security check at gate where a swab allegedly showed something on my shoe. Hauled away back to main security, then kept waiting on my own whilst I was ‘discussed’. No explanation. My bags were offloaded by airline, my husband left in the gateroom without explanation from airline/gate staff. Allowed to travel without further check of my shoes and told to ‘don’t cry, lady’. Appalling and very stressful for both me and my husband. We had enjoyed a good holiday in Turkey but sadly won’t be travelling to Turkey again.