Sabiha Gokcen, Istanbul Airport to cancel hundreds of flights amid severe weather forecast
Turkish Airlines performs anti-icing (de-icing) on its fleet to ensure flight safety against winter weather conditions, Istanbul, Türkiye, March 10, 2022. (AA Photo)
Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure announced Tuesday that hundreds of flights will be canceled across Istanbul from Feb.19 to 21 due to expected snowfall, storms, and icing risks.
In a statement, the ministry said that Istanbul Airport’s (IST) capacity will be reduced by up to 15% on Feb. 19 and by 20% on Friday, Feb. 21. “Considering that Turkish Airlines operates an average of 1,000 flights daily, approximately 150 flights are expected to be canceled on Feb. 19, while around 200 flights will be canceled on Feb. 21,” the statement read.
The Sabiha Gokcen International Airport Ground Authority (HEAS) also issued a statement, noting that the Meteorological Emergency Committee had made the decision based on forecasted adverse weather.
“With the decision of the Meteorological Emergency Committee, 10 % of the flights on Feb. 20 and 15 % of the flights on Feb. 21 will be canceled due to the expected adverse weather conditions at Sabiha Gokcen Airport,” the statement said.
Accordingly, Pegasus Airlines has canceled 46 flights, while Ajet has canceled 22 flights at Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW).
Meanwhile, passengers are urged to check the latest flight updates with their respective airlines or call centers.
Severe weather conditions to hit Istanbul
The Turkish Meteorological Service predicts that Istanbul will experience snow starting Wednesday, Feb. 19, continuing through Friday, Feb. 21. Temperatures are expected to drop significantly, reaching 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) with snow particularly affecting northern districts.
Rain, which has been ongoing in the city, is expected to intensify from Sunday evening until Monday, transitioning to sleet on Tuesday before snow becomes widespread in higher elevations.
Meanwhile, Meteorology Professor Dr. Orhan Sen warned that snowfall could reach up to 10 centimeters, potentially disrupting transportation and daily life. He advised Istanbul residents to prepare for adverse conditions, particularly as snowfall is expected to worsen traffic from Thursday onward.
You can check out the map below for all districts of Istanbul and their expected weather conditions:
Istanbul Governor Gul warns of severe weather
Istanbul Governor Davut Gul also issued a warning on Tuesday regarding the weather forecast.
Sharing on his social media account, Governor Gul stated that adverse weather conditions are expected in the city on Feb. 19-21.
“It is important to avoid traffic unless it is compulsory, to use winter tires on vehicles, to take precautions against icing and frost, and to prefer public transportation,” he added.
Governor Gul emphasized that citizens should follow official announcements from the Istanbul Governorship, the General Directorate of Meteorology, and other relevant authorities for updates.
