Copyright bbc
Mr Mardell had taken the trip to Istanbul with his son Jake and used assisted boarding due to his condition, which he says has resulted in no boarding issues with other airlines. "Parkinson's is the fastest-growing neurological condition on the planet. If you think that means we shouldn't be allowed on planes, you've got a problem - and it's not neurological," he wrote in his Facebook post. The Turkish Airlines website states: "Passengers who have Parkinson's disease are admitted to the flight with a doctor's report stating that 'there is no harm in traveling by plane'. "The report must include a statement specifying that the passenger can travel accompanied or unaccompanied," the website adds. A doctor's report provided must be recent and usually compiled within the last 10 days. But Mr Mardell listed British Airways, Lufthansa, American, Emirates, and Qantas as examples of major airlines that do not require a doctor's report if the passenger has Parkinson's. "Turkish Airlines stands alone in demanding people with Parkinson's must bring a doctor's note. That's not 'assistance'; that's a barrier," Mr Mardell said. The journalist said he found most of the Turkish Airlines staff he encountered unhelpful and they left him "staggering" around the airport alone for hours trying to find his suitcase. Eventually, a helpful member of staff and a member of the public helped him and he located his bag. Mr Mardell has since returned home to the UK, flying back the following day with Wizz Air. He posted about his ordeal on Facebook to highlight what has happened in the hope other people with Parkinson's wouldn't encounter the same problem. "I had to rebook, stay in a hotel, and spend the night stranded, all because I have a medical condition, not a contagious disease," he said. "People with Parkinson's everywhere need to know about this Airline's outrageous policy."
