THY ‘Target 12’ Controversy: Management Seeks Defenses Over Briefings
Turkish Airlines is executing the “Target 12” cost-reduction plan to trim employee compensation by 10 to 20 percent, coinciding with management investigations into pre-flight briefings where staff allegedly discussed the restructuring and union changes, according to reports from AirportHaber and Sözcü.
The “Target 12” project impacts approximately 39 bine yakın employees, including pilots, cabin crew, and support personnel. The plan rearranges base salaries, fringe benefits, overtime, flight fees, crew transport vehicles, per diems, and various additional payments, resulting in projected compensation reductions ranging from 10 to 20 percent.
Turkish Airlines Cuts Crew Benefits Amid Aircraft Orders
Under the new terms slated to take effect on January 1, 2027, crew vehicle services will be removed for flight crews with more than two years of seniority, and per diem payments for assignments under 24 hours will be adjusted. While THY Human Resources reported that agreement has been reached with nearly all employees and that a small number of personnel who declined the terms have parted ways with the company receiving their legal rights, union opposition and worker anxiety regarding job security have persisted.
Management Investigates Briefings over Union Discussions
The controversy extended into pre-flight briefings, where management launched an inquiry following complaints that operational preparations and flight safety were sidelined in favor of discussing the “Target 12” consent process and union changes. Certain flight personnel received written notices requesting explanations within five days, containing the phrase, Çalışmalarınızdan verim alınamamakta ve hizmetinizden istifade edilememektedir,
with internal evaluations suggesting the process could extend to employment terminations.
Concurrently, digital friction emerged on Hava-Sen’s kackisiyiz.app platform, where employees whose explanations were requested sought to voice opinions but were allegedly labeled as trolls and had comments deleted. It remains unverified how many total employees were asked for defenses, and what final decisions THY management will implement following the briefing investigations.
Parliamentary Inquiry Questions Collective Bargaining Rights
The developments prompted parliamentary action as Emek Partisi (EMEP) Istanbul Deputy İskender Bayhan submitted a parliamentary question to Minister of Labour and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan. Bayhan stated that obtaining individual consent from employees effectively neutralizes collective labor agreement provisions and the right to collective bargaining, arguing that employees’ job security is being turned into a pressure mechanism.
Meanwhile, financial figures from the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) show that Turkish Airlines recorded a net profit of 18 milyar 864 milyon liras in the first six months of the year, alongside an operating loss. Amid these financial reports and restructuring measures, union representatives such as Hava-İş had previously expressed negative views regarding the adjustments and objected to obtaining individual approval from personnel.