Security and Baggage Restrictions

Airport Security

All departing and transfer passengers and their baggage traveling from Istanbul Airport are scanned at the security checkpoints to prevent the entry of prohibited items into the security restricted areas and the aircraft.

The scanning methods carried out at security checkpoints are conducted in accordance with the standards set out in the National Civil Aviation Security Program and its revisions, and the Istanbul Airport Security Program and its revision, as published by the Civil Aviation Directorate General, the Decisions of the Istanbul Airport Security Commission and the recommendations of international organizations, such as the ICAO and the ECAC.

To speed up the security checkpoint processes, please consider the following.

Don't rush through security checkpoints.
Complying with the information and directions provided by the personnel at the security checkpoints will facilitate a safe and efficient passage.
Place items which may trigger the detector's alarm (mobile phone, keys, coins, etc.) into the plastic trays for an X-ray check.
Take off your belt, jacket, coat, blazer, etc., at the X-ray preparation table and place them in the plastic trays.
Take laptops, cameras and large electronic devices out of their cases and place them in a separate plastic tray.
There is no restriction on liquids (except dangerous liquids) at terminal entrance security checkpoints.
Make sure to take all your belongings with you before leaving the X-ray area.
Please abide by the security regulations and listen to the security staff, their guidance is to help everyone.

Have your boarding card ready.
Don't rush through security checkpoints.
Complying with the information and directions provided by the personnel at the security checkpoints will facilitate a safe and efficient passage.
Make sure that your cabin baggage does not contain any liquids that are not in compliance with the liquid restrictions.
Place items which may trigger the detector's alarm (mobile phone, keys, coins, etc.) into the plastic trays for an X-ray check.

Take off your belt, jacket, coat, blazer, etc., at the X-ray preparation table and place them in a plastic tray.
Take laptops, cameras and large electronic devices out of their cases and place them in a separate plastic tray.
Take out the 1-liter transparent re-sealable bag holding your containers with liquids (each up to 100 ml) from your bag and place it in a separate plastic tray.
Make sure to take all your belongings with you before leaving the X-ray area.
Please abide by the security regulations and listen to the security staff, their guidance is to help everyone.

The metal detectors/hand-held metal detectors pose no risk to our pregnant passengers. However, if you have any doubts, you can request alternative search methods from the security personnel that will not use the metal detector.
Passengers who use wheelchairs and cardiac pacemakers will be checked using alternative search methods.
Passengers with disabilities should notify the staff on duty at the checkpoint prior to the security check.
If you do not comply with the security checkpoint rules, you may not be allowed to pass through the security checkpoint.
You can request detailed information from the airline company about items such as lighters, batteries etc., which are prohibited in the cabin, security restricted areas and cargo hold.
The items classified as prohibited at the security checkpoints include only the most common items, and are just to give you a general idea. Potential items that are not on this list that can be used as weapons are also not permitted.

1. Firearms, other weapons and their components,

2. Pointed/sharp/piercing weapons and items,

3. Weapons/objects/items that are not sharp or pointed,

4. Explosives, explosive devices and their components,

5. Flammable and combustible liquids and gases,

6. Nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) and hazardous/toxic substances,

7. Liquids/aerosols/gels (more than 100 ml. and not in a 1-liter bag) are prohibited,

8. List of prohibited items in checked baggage,

a) Fuses and detonators,

b) All kinds of explosive devices,

c) All kinds of explosives,

1) Dynamite,

2) Gunpowder,

3) Plastic explosives, etc.,

a) Mines,

b. Hand grenades,

c. Fireworks, sparklers, and pyrotechnical materials,

d. Explosive capsules,

e. Military ammunition,

f. Smoke-producing cans and cartridges,

g. High-risk flammable and combustible objects,

h. CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) substances except for medical use.

Certain items may be qualified as prohibited items, depending on the decisions of the airport security commission.
The airline operator you are traveling with may refuse to carry items listed as prohibited, or any other items which are not included in this list, on the aircraft.
For flight safety, personal transportation vehicles powered by lithium batteries, such as mini-Segways, solowheels, airwheels, balance wheels, etc., are not allowed to be transported as hand luggage or checked baggage.
As per International and National Legislations, firearms and other weapons, their components, and ammunition must be declared at the firearm declaration office located near the terminal entrance, and to the airline company with the necessary documentation. These items may not be carried unless they have been declared.
If you plan to carry such an item, please contact the airline.

Baggage Security and Restrictions

All departing and transfer passengers and their baggage traveling from iGA Istanbul Airport are scanned at the security checkpoints to prevent the entry of prohibited items into the security restricted areas and the aircraft.

Screening methods implemented at the security checkpoints conform to the standards set forth in the National Civil Aviation Security Program and its Annexes published by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, as well as the ICAO Aviation Security Manual (Doc 8973) and ECAC Document 30 Part II.

In order to expedite the process, please consider the following steps.

Do not rush at security checkpoints.
Make sure you place the following metal and electronic belongings inside screening bins:

- Cellphone,
- Computer,
- Camera,
- Key,
- Coins etc.

Remove your belt, jacket, coat, etc., in advance, and place them neatly and folded to ensure they do not fall out of the bins.
Remove your child from their stroller and fold the stroller. Place the stroller on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening.
Pass through the checkpoint one person at a time.

Have your boarding pass ready,
Place all your metal belongings and clothes such as belts, jackets, coats, etc., in the bins in an orderly manner,
Make sure you do not have any prohibited items in your hand luggage, as they are not allowed on the plane.

In line with National and International regulations, as of April 1st, 2012, passengers on all flights (domestic/international) can carry liquids, aerosols, gels (LAGs) in their hand baggage (in cabin) enclosed in 100 ml containers maximum, and placed in a single 1-liter resealable bag. Checked baggage (in the hold) is excluded from this restriction.

We recommend packing any liquids, aerosols, or gels (LAGs) in your check-in baggage. Liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs) not in your hand-baggage, will not be allowed through the security checkpoints. Liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs) are allowed in your hand luggage in containers up to 100 ml maximum, and not exceeding the quantities listed below.

Some items and substances (hazardous materials) are not permitted in checked baggage for security reasons.

1- Liquid/Aerosol/Gel-LAG prohibitions
(Stored in containers larger than 100 ml and not sealed in 1-liter bags)

All liquids such as water, syrups, beverages, perfumes, lotions, contact lens solution, all liquids/liquid medicines and infant formula,
Creams, oils (including cosmetic oils), all types of make-up products including mascara (excluding solid ones)/shaving foams, shaving gels, hair care products such as hair gel,
Liquid or gel food items such as jams, honey, yogurt, molasses and tomato paste,
Products such as shampoos, hair conditioners, aerosols, deodorants, sprays,
Toothpaste and/or any paste-like substance (hair sprays, etc.),
Other spray liquid products, and other items similar to those set out above.

Exceptions to the Liquid Restrictions

In the following cases, Liquid-Aerosol-Gel (LAG) substances can be carried in the cabin with the passenger, and are not subject to the rules specified here.

a) Medication: Medication is allowed in the cabin with the passenger as long as it is in its original packaging, and that the passenger can provide a prescription or a medical report stating their name and that this medication has been prescribed to them.

b) Baby formula: Baby formula is allowed in the cabin with the passenger in reasonable quantities for the duration of the flight, provided that the baby is also onboard the plane. If there is any doubt, the passenger may be required to taste the formula.

c) Items Purchased from Duty-Free Shops: Liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs) purchased from airport duty-free shops or onboard are permitted. Liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs) purchased from airport duty-free shops are packed in special, sealed (tamper-proof) bags.
Please do not open these bags (STEBs) until you pass through the security checkpoint.

Otherwise, the liquid-aerosol-gel products (LAGs) inside the bag will not be allowed through the security checkpoints. If you are transferring through another airport on the way to your final destination, it is important that you do not open the special duty-free shopping bag provided in the store or on the plane until you reach your final destination. You can find out more about the applicable liquid restrictions at the duty-free shops in the transfer airport.

Liquid, aerosol and gel products as specified above and purchased from duty-free shops, can be taken onboard with the passenger provided that:

The products purchased by the passenger are stored in a transparent bag. The products must be in a tamper-evident bag.
A copy of the receipt or invoice for the products should be placed in the bag so that it is visible from the outside. The receipts or invoices must have the same date as that of the flight. (This restriction does not apply to flights scheduled to take off at or before 02:00 AM the next day.)
Bags packed according to the rules specified at the Security Checkpoints can be taken onboard as long as they have not been opened, and after confirming that the receipt or invoice was issued by the duty-free shop authorized by the Local Authority at that airport.
The bag containing the liquid, aerosol, and gel (LAGs) products will be allowed onboard the plane, after the bag and the invoice for the products are checked at the security checkpoint.

Packing Liquid - Aerosol - Gel (LAGs) Products

Liquid, aerosol, and gel (LAGs) products should be stored in separate containers each with a maximum capacity of 100 ml. These containers should be packed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1 liter (20 cm x 20 cm). Only one of these bags is allowed per passenger. Resealable, 1-liter food storage bags can be used for this purpose. These bags should be shown for inspection at the checkpoints and checked separately from your carry-on luggage.

Rifled guns of all calibers,
Any kind of shotguns and pump-action rifles,
Replica, imitation and similar firearms,
Air guns (PCP and CO2) firing BBs/plastic projectiles/paintballs/pellets/blanks, guns for sports and similar purposes, and capsules and cartridges of those,
Concealed and disguised regular weapons and improvised weapons (lighter-shaped guns, pen guns, cane guns, etc.),
Any weapon parts, including telescopic sights for magnifying distant targets, magazines and cartridges,
Flare guns, starter pistols, emergency pistols and flares.

Pointed and Bladed Weapons and Objects

Axes and types of axes,
Hatchets,
Arrows/crossbows/bows,
Hooks/machetes/swords/daggers/switchblades,
Bayonets/socket bayonets/shurikens/throwing stars/tactical and hunting knives and supplies,
Darts/Harpoons/Mountaineering equipment and gear (crampons, ice hammers, ice axes, poles) skis and batons/ice skates, all kinds of bows/arrows,
Sewing needles and similar, injectors/hypodermic needles/fishing hooks,
Cutlery, tactical pens, carpet knives, knitting needles and barbecue skewers, nail clippers, nail files and similar, surgery instruments (scalpel, lancet, etc.), pocketknives, switchblades, multi-tool pocketknives, ceramic knives, disguised and improvised knives (cards, pens, belt knives, cane swords, etc.), manual gyro knives, straight razors, razor blades, dive knives, ice picks, ice axes, corkscrews,
Paper scissors, wire cutters, dressmaker shears, poultry shears, hairdressing scissors, kitchen scissors, pruning shears,
Hammers, adzes, screwdrivers, drills, cordless drills, drivers and drill bits, saws (handsaws, chainsaws, hacksaws, fretsaws etc.) tape measures, multi-tool sets, crowbars, chisels, repairing tools (pliers, round pliers, diagonal pliers), pipe wrenches, adjustable wrenches, wrench sets, nail guns, pneumatic torque wrenches, tools with shaft and blades longer than 6 cm capable of use as a weapon.

Non-sharp/Non-Pointed Weapons/Objects/Items

All kinds of batons, kubotans (shock, stun, law enforcement, telescopic, etc.), sports sticks (e.g. golf clubs, cricket, baseball and softball bats, hockey and lacrosse sticks, cues, etc.), ropes, chains and similar items, fishing equipment and gear, paddles (canoe, etc.),
Handcuffs, sports boards (skateboard, ski, surfboard), catapults and similar items, slingshots,
Electroshock weapons and all kinds of stun guns (e.g. those to stun and slaughter animals), brass knuckles, maces, garrotes, nunchucks, staffs.

Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Gases

Spray paints, spray adhesives, solvents such as thinners and turpentine, etc.,
Gases and gas cylinders and refills (oxygen, propane gas, butane gas, acetone, lighter fluids and gases (liquid-gas)),
Torch lighters (blow torches),
Any kinds of non-safety matches (strike-anywhere matches),
Beverages and liquids with more than 70% alcohol (e.g. cologne),
Imitations, equivalents, and replicas of all kinds of flammable and combustible products.

Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) and Hazardous/Toxic Substances

Acids and liquid batteries, large solid batteries, radioactive substances (other than those used in healthcare), dry ice (more than 2 kg), spontaneously combustible materials,
Poisons and pesticides (insecticides, rat poisons, etc.), fly and insect killers (spray/solid), infectious and biohazardous substances (contaminated blood, bacteria and viruses), chemical/biological agents, VHFs such as mustard gas, sarin, anthrax, smallpox, cyanide, tularemia, botulism, Ebola and Marburg, causing high fever, stun sprays (pepper spray, tear gas, riot control agents such as CN and CS gases, animal repellent sprays, acid sprays, etc.),
Solvents, abrasives, bleaching agents and removers (irritants such as chlorine, bleaches, hydrochloric acid, etc.), oxygen cylinders (chemical oxygen generators, diving tanks, liquid oxygen cylinders), devices that produce or emit heat, nitrogen cylinders, flammable liquids or solids.

Explosives, Components of Explosives and Mechanisms of Detonation

Plastic Explosives (e.g. C-4),
Semtex, dynamite, TNT, liquid explosives,
Mechanisms of detonation, replicas, imitations and equivalents of explosives,
Arms and ammunition, smoke and stun grenades, etc.,
Pyrotechnics, igniters for detonators,
Power supplies for detonators (e.g. batteries),
Detonation timers (e.g. clocks),
Fuses and wicks,
Any kind of explosives and explosive devices,
Fireworks, signal flares, land mines and military explosives,
Grenades,
Firecrackers,
High-risk flammables and combustibles, smoke emitting devices,
NBCs (excluding those for medical purposes),
CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) substances except for medical uses.

If you intend to bring large items, such as equipment and gear for skiing, diving, etc., please contact the airline company to ask if any special instructions or regulations apply for transporting bulky items such as skis, strollers, sun umbrellas, wheelchairs, surfboards, windsurfers, fishing rods, diving gear and equipment, backpacks, golf bags, bicycles, and musical instruments.

Liquids can be carried in your hand luggage in containers with a maximum volume of 100 ml.
Put these containers in a 1-liter resealable plastic bag at home.
Devices such as spare batteries and battery-powered rechargers (powerbanks) should only be carried in your hand luggage. Batteries should be packed separately in your bag, to protect them from damage and short circuit.
Containers larger than 100 ml, and knives and sharp scissors longer than 6 cm, are only permitted in checked-in baggage.
If you are traveling with hand luggage only, you are not permitted to carry these items.

Items and liquids that are prohibited from the aircraft and security restricted areas:

You can see detailed information about items such as lighters, batteries, etc. Items classified as prohibited include only the most common items, and are just to give you a general idea.
Items that are not on this list, but which could be considered a potential weapon, are also prohibited.
Some substances not included on this list may be qualified as "prohibited" by the airport security commission, because of the local security concerns at the relevant airport.
The airline operator you are traveling with may refuse to carry items listed as prohibited, or any other items which are not included in this list, on the aircraft.

Please contact the airline if you intend to carry such items.

List of Prohibited Items

1- Lithium Batteries

Spare batteries should be packed separately to protect them from short circuit; if this is not possible, they should be placed in a protective plastic bag,
For any type of battery;

a) If the battery is lithium metal, the lithium content should not exceed 2 grams,
b)if it is a lithium-ion battery, the capacity should not exceed 100Wh;
batteries that meet these criteria can be carried in your hand luggage, but are prohibited from the hold.

2- Electronic Cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes are prohibited in the cargo hold of the aircraft, and are only allowed to be carried in the passenger's hand luggage.

3- UAVs used for hobby purposes

The only factor that can pose a danger in transporting a UAV in the cabin is the type and capacity of the batteries that they contain. There is no objection to carrying UAVs containing batteries in the cabin, within the restrictions regarding electronic devices containing a lithium battery as specified in ICAO Doc.9284 Technical Instructions.

Please contact your airline for more detailed information about baggage regulations.