Turkey’s state-run Turkish Airlines fired more than 100 employees, including management and cabin crew, as part of a purge at state institutions to root out supporters of an abortive coup, Turkish media reported on Monday.
The dismissals at the national carrier occurred late on Sunday after it was determined the employees were linked to a religious movement President Tayyip Erdogan has said attempted to overthrow the government on July 15.
Turkish Airlines said in a statement:
“As of today, labor contracts of 211 Turkish Airlines employees are cancelled”.
“Active as of 22nd July 2016, contracts are canceled given the nonfulfillment of performance criterion and in line with the necessary actions we are taking against the FETÖ structure, attitudes and behavior conflicting with the interest of our country and company”.
“As Turkish Airlines, united with all of the heroic and honorable Turkish people in extraordinary efforts, we have acknowledged our responsibility to terminate the malevolent illegal attempt. Under any circumstances, we have and will continue to fulfill our responsibility to contribute to democracy”.