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A nationwide outage of Türkiye's Polnet police database system beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sunday disrupted passenger processing at airports across the country, forcing authorities to conduct passport controls manually.
The system failure affected police checkpoints throughout Türkiye, with airports bearing the brunt of the disruption as travelers faced delays during what is typically a busy travel period. Polnet serves as the central information system used by security units for identity verification, passport processing and border entry and exit procedures.
During the manual processing period, airport security personnel have been conducting passport checks by hand, a process that significantly extends processing times compared to the automated digital system. The shift to manual operations requires additional staffing and coordination to maintain security standards while managing passenger flow.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport implemented additional security measures as passenger volumes increased due to the slower manual processing. Airport authorities announced they would begin distributing water to passengers to minimize inconvenience during the extended wait times.
Officials indicated the technical fault is expected to be resolved shortly, though no specific timeline was provided for full system restoration.
The outage highlights the critical role that digital infrastructure plays in Türkiye's border security operations. Polnet connects police stations, airports and border crossings nationwide, enabling real-time verification of traveler documents and criminal background checks.
Türkiye's airports handle thousands of international passengers daily, making efficient passport control systems essential for both security and passenger experience. The country serves as a major transit hub between Europe, Asia and the Middle East, with Istanbul's airports ranking among the world's busiest.
Authorities have not disclosed the cause of the system failure or whether it was related to technical maintenance.
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