La Turkish Airlines, admitted to having removed the alcoholic beverages from the menus of most domestic flights and from those to eight Islamic countries. The flag carrier is 49% state-owned and alcohol will only be found on business flights. The official reason is not religion of course, but the fact that people don't ask for alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol is not the only novelty, even the new uniforms of the hostesses, skirts 15cm below the knee and Islamic raincoats up to the ankles, red and blue Ottoman-style fabrics, contributed to the new image of the airline. The issue landed in Parliament where there was talk of damage of Turkey image. A deputy added: "A company that presents itself as a world brand and as the best in Europe cannot refuse the request for alcohol even from a single passenger".
In the 60s and 70s the miniskirts reigned among the Turkish hostesses and also on the streets of many Turkish cities and no one was scandalized. Indeed it was a sign of freedom. Today, however, women wearing the veil are growing and Erdogan has managed to lift the ban on wearing it in universities, schools and public ceremonies. In short, Ataturk's secular Turkey is increasingly becoming a thing of the past.
