Reduced Mobility (PRM) Assistance at Istanbul Airport (2026)
Quick answer: Istanbul Airport (IST) provides free assistance for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) through its iGA Cares program. Request help from your airline at least 48 hours before departure, then use the assistance call points and the Assisted Check-in Counter when you reach the terminal. Support includes a wheelchair and an escort to the gate, accessible toilets, a sign-language video call center, and a free Sunflower Lanyard for hidden disabilities. None of it costs anything.
Air travel should be open to everyone, and Istanbul Airport is built around that principle. Whether you use a wheelchair, travel with a condition that is not visible, or simply need a little more time, the airport and the airlines based there are required to help at no charge. Below is who qualifies as a passenger with reduced mobility, how to arrange assistance before you fly, and exactly what IST offers once you arrive.
Who counts as a passenger with reduced mobility
Reduced mobility is a broad term. It covers anyone whose movement is restricted by a disability, an injury, age, or a temporary medical condition, and who needs support to travel safely. To make sure the right equipment and staff are ready at the gate, airlines and airports use a shared set of IATA codes that describe the exact help a passenger needs. The table below explains the ones you are most likely to see.
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| WCHR | Needs a wheelchair for long distances but can manage stairs and short walks |
| WCHS | Needs a wheelchair and cannot manage stairs |
| WCHC | Needs a wheelchair at all times, including a seat in the cabin |
| WCBD / WCBW | Travels with a personal wheelchair powered by a dry-cell (WCBD) or wet-cell (WCBW) battery |
| MAAS | Meet and assist: needs help moving through the airport (often used for seniors, expectant mothers, and recovering travelers) |
| BLND | Passenger with a visual impairment |
| DEAF | Passenger with a hearing impairment |
| MEDA | Needs medical support or special equipment in flight (for example oxygen or post-surgery care) |
| STCR | Travels on a stretcher |
| OXYG | Requires oxygen during the flight |
Your rights, and what assistance costs
Assistance for passengers with reduced mobility is free. You never pay the airline or the airport for a wheelchair, an escort through the terminal, or priority handling. For flights between Istanbul and the European Union, EU Regulation (EC) 1107/2006 spells out these rights in detail. For every flight, the global ICAO and IATA standards, along with Turkish civil aviation rules, require carriers and airports to offer accessible facilities and trained staff. The one thing asked of you is advance notice.
How to arrange assistance before you fly
Request assistance from your airline, not the airport, and do it at least 48 hours before departure. The simplest moment is when you book. If you have already booked, add it through the airline's website, app, or call center. Quote the IATA code that fits your needs, for example WCHR if you can walk short distances but not long ones, so the correct help is waiting at the gate. Turkish Airlines carries most passengers through IST and takes special-assistance requests during booking; other carriers follow the same 48-hour rule. The airport then coordinates the support on the day of travel.
What Istanbul Airport offers under iGA Cares
iGA Cares is the airport's accessibility program, and its services run from the curb to the gate. Here is what you can rely on at IST.
| Service | What it does | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Assistance call points | Press to summon staff for help | Departures floor, near the terminal entrance |
| Assisted Check-in Counter | Check-in help and the free Sunflower Lanyard | Check-in area |
| Wheelchair and escort | A companion guides you through the airport to the gate | On request, booked 48h ahead |
| Sign-language video center | Remote interpreter for deaf passengers | Terminal |
| Accessible toilets | Step-free, with adult changing and safety features | Throughout the terminal |
| Charging and safe-wait points | Electric-wheelchair charging and prosthesis-friendly zones | Check-in area |
The Sunflower Lanyard for hidden disabilities
Not every condition is visible. Dementia, autism, anxiety, and speech difficulties can all make a busy terminal harder to navigate, even when nothing shows on the outside. The Sunflower Lanyard is a discreet green lanyard that signals to staff that you may need more time, clearer instructions, or a little extra patience. You can pick one up free at the Assisted Check-in Counter, with no need to prove a condition, and wear it throughout your journey.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at Istanbul Airport?
Yes. PRM assistance, including a wheelchair and an escort to the gate, is free. Request it through your airline at least 48 hours before your flight.
How do I request special assistance for an IST flight?
Through your airline, ideally when you book, or at least 48 hours ahead via its website, app, or call center. The airport coordinates the help on the day you travel.
Where do I get a Sunflower Lanyard and do I have to prove anything?
You can collect one free at the Assisted Check-in Counter at IST, with no need to prove a condition. It quietly tells staff you may need more support or more time.
What do codes like WCHR and WCHC mean?
They are IATA labels for the level of help needed. WCHR means a wheelchair for long distances, WCHS adds help on stairs, and WCHC means you need a wheelchair at all times, including a seat in the cabin.
Is there help for deaf or blind passengers?
Yes. IST runs a sign-language video call center for deaf passengers, and staff can escort blind passengers (code BLND) through the airport when assistance is booked in advance.
Do I need medical documents to fly with reduced mobility?
Usually no. Bring paperwork only if your condition needs special equipment or clearance, such as in-flight oxygen (OXYG) or a stretcher (STCR); most airlines ask for a medical form in those cases.
Sources: iGA Cares and Istanbul Airport (istairport.com) for accessibility services; your airline's special-assistance pages (for example Turkish Airlines) for booking and the 48-hour rule; EU Regulation (EC) 1107/2006 for flights to and from the European Union. Passenger codes follow IATA standards.
About the author
Anastasia Maisuradze is a Turkey-based travel writer who covers Istanbul Airport services and accessibility. She checks PRM procedures and iGA Cares facilities against official airport and airline sources each season. Details listed reflect 2026 and can change; confirm current procedures with your airline and Istanbul Airport before you travel.
