Ashgabat International Airport continues to block passengers from boarding flights, causing serious concerns among citizens and attracting the attention of international observers, Radio Azatlyk reported, citing local sources.
According to local “anonymous” reports, many passengers, including students traveling to study abroad, are being removed from flights without explanation. For example, several students attempting to fly to Russia were detained at the airport and were unable to board their flights. They were told that this was due to concerns about human trafficking, but they express doubt that this is the real reason for the bans. These delays are jeopardizing their educational plans, as they are losing significant amounts on visas and non-refundable tickets. The Russian embassy has also refused to intervene, leaving the students without support.
Flight problems in Ashgabat are also occurring on other routes, including Frankfurt and Paris. Passengers often face unexpected schedule changes and are denied boarding without any explanation. Sources attribute such actions to tightened controls on citizen migration and alleged government orders to restrict travel abroad.
In addition, according to local observers, this tightening is part of a larger trend to restrict the movement of citizens. Citizens face difficulties in obtaining foreign passports and other necessary documents for traveling abroad. While Turkmenistan does not officially publish migration statistics, observers have noted an increase in those wishing to leave the country due to economic and political problems. The situation is also aggravated by regular changes in flight schedules due to presidential visits, which leads to additional delays and cancellations. Local residents note that life in the capital and other cities is regularly interrupted due to road closures and changes in public transport routes due to the movements of high-ranking officials.
All of these factors cause significant discontent among the population, as they directly affect the ability of citizens to move freely and travel abroad. In the context of ongoing economic instability and limited access to international markets, such restrictions further complicate life for citizens and damage Turkmenistan’s reputation on the international stage.
