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Case Study

Passport Left at Istanbul Airport: Helping an Australian Family Recover Their Lost Property

Sasha and her husband were already back in Australia, but his small black travel pouch remained at Istanbul Airport. With a passport, an international driving licence and bank cards inside, arranging its recovery from IGA Lost & Found felt urgent and stressful. Sasha contacted Ana Kurye for help from the other side of the world.

Istanbul Airport Lost Property IGA Lost Property Lost Passport
Ana Kurye representative holding the black travel pouch at Istanbul Airport Lost & Found

Problem

Process

Result

Case Summary

Customer
Sasha Darbinian
Owner
Nicholas, Sasha’s husband
Item
Black pouch with passport, international driving licence and bank cards
Authority
IGA Lost & Found
Reference
GMK0344286
Destination
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Scope
Authorised airport recovery and collection coordination

Contacting Ana Kurye from Australia

Contacting Ana Kurye from Australia

Sasha Darbinian was organising the recovery for her husband, Nicholas, the owner of the belongings. Their destination was Gold Coast, Queensland. Returning to Istanbul simply to deal with a found item would have meant another international journey, so she asked Ana Kurye to coordinate locally.

The immediate task was to work with the organisation holding the pouch and establish how an authorised courier could collect it. International transport also needed checking because the contents included identity documents.

The pouch held by IGA Lost & Found

The pouch held by IGA Lost & Found

IGA Lost & Found at Istanbul Airport was holding the small black travel pouch under reference GMK0344286. The verified contents were a passport, an international driving licence and bank cards.

IGA confirmed in this case that an authorised cargo or courier company could collect the property on the owner's behalf once the documentation was accepted. That confirmation gave Sasha a way to arrange local collection while remaining in Australia.

Making the paperwork match the owner

Making the paperwork match the owner

One detail needed attention before the process could move forward: Sasha was the person communicating with Ana Kurye, while her husband was the actual property owner. The initial forms contained Sasha's information.

Ana Kurye helped clarify that the information and authorisation documents had to identify Nicholas as the owner. The process involved checking or completing identification documentation, the information form and the power of attorney or authorisation paperwork required for this case.

Following up directly with IGA

Following up directly with IGA

Ana Kurye contacted IGA Lost & Found several times to check the paperwork and collection status. Sasha could discuss the arrangements from Australia while Ana Kurye handled the local follow-up with the airport team.

Once IGA's requirements were clarified, Ana Kurye proceeded with the airport recovery and collection process. The photograph shows the black pouch at the Lost & Found counter; private identity and banking documents are not displayed in this story.

Important documents need a separate transport check

Important documents need a separate transport check

Collection from the airport and international shipping were separate parts of the arrangements. International shipping options were being checked because passports and identification documents can be subject to carrier restrictions.

The available case material does not establish a final carrier or delivery confirmation in Australia. This account therefore records the airport coordination and recovery process without assigning a shipment date, transit time or final delivery result.

Sasha's experience

Sasha's experience

In her public Google review, Sasha explained that her husband had left his passport at Istanbul Airport and that they live in Australia. She described how stressed they had been and praised Özlem's helpful, professional service.

Sasha said the process had been made easy and quick, that she was very happy with the service, and thanked Özlem. Her feedback reflects the value of having someone in Istanbul follow up when an important belonging is far from its owner.

Sasha Darbinian's public Google review
The public review supplied by Sasha about the airport recovery assistance.

Need help recovering property from Istanbul Airport?

Need help recovering property from Istanbul Airport?

If Lost & Found has located your belongings, share the holding authority, the item description and your destination country with Ana Kurye. The next step is to review that case's collection requirements and the available onward transport options.

Sasha Darbinian — customer feedback

Ozlem was so professional and made the whole process super easy and quick. So happy with the service.
Read Sasha Darbinian’s Google review

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Frequently Asked Questions

Need help recovering property from Istanbul Airport?

Share the holding authority, found-item reference and destination country so the collection requirements and onward transport options can be reviewed.