The baggage crisis involving Turkish Airlines continues to escalate as over 200 pieces of luggage were left behind on recent flights from Dalaman and Istanbul to Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport, marking yet another disruption for travelers flying between Türkiye and Russia.

According to Vnukovo Airport, 207 items of baggage were not loaded on Turkish Airlines flight TK3104 from Dalaman and AJet flight VF277 from Istanbul. Both carriers have confirmed that the luggage will be delivered on subsequent flights — TK417 departing Istanbul on October 8 and VF275 on October 9.

Passengers have been advised to monitor updates via the Turkish Airlines and AJet websites and to contact the airport’s Lost & Found service with identification, boarding passes, and baggage tags.

However, this is not an isolated incident. Since mid-2025, travelers across multiple routes from Antalya, Istanbul, and Dalaman to Moscow and St. Petersburg have reported widespread luggage delays. In July, Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg recorded more than 350 baggage claims in just a few days from passengers arriving on Turkish Airlines flights.

Industry analysts attribute the repeated offloading of baggage to payload management and operational challenges, with airlines allegedly prioritizing cargo and fuel efficiency amid high passenger volumes.

The issue has drawn attention from Russian aviation authorities. The Deputy Minister of Transport confirmed that discussions with Turkish officials are ongoing and that “positive progress” has been made toward resolving the matter.

Despite the growing criticism, Turkish Airlines remains one of the most active international carriers serving Russia, operating dozens of flights each week to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and regional destinations.

For now, frustrated passengers are left waiting — hoping that the next flight from Istanbul brings not just travelers, but their long-delayed luggage as well.