Turkish Airlines, AJet, Pegasus cancel Istanbul flights amid severe weather
File photo shows a blurred view of a Turkish Airlines aircraft parked at the gate through an airport window covered with raindrops. (Adobe Stock Photo)
Turkish Airlines, AJet and Pegasus Airlines announced on Wednesday that multiple flights in Istanbul were canceled due to the anticipated snowfall and storm conditions.
According to a statement from Turkish Airlines, some flights scheduled for Feb. 5 and 6, departing from or arriving at Istanbul Airport, have been canceled. Additionally, the airline revised its flight reduction policy for Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) on Feb. 6, limiting operations by 20%.
The statement further noted that 20% of flights scheduled for Feb. 5 and Feb. 6 have been canceled, while 10% of flights on Friday, Feb. 7, will also be affected. Passengers were advised to check the latest updates on their flights through airline websites or customer service centers before making travel arrangements.
AJet and Pegasus cancel Istanbul flights at Sabiha Gokcen Airport
Other Turkish carriers, AJet and Pegasus Airlines, also announced flight cancellations, particularly affecting operations at Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
AJet issued a statement confirming that due to adverse weather conditions, some flights scheduled for Feb. 5, 6 and 7, to and from Sabiha Gokcen Airport have been canceled.
Similarly, Pegasus Airlines announced that 10% of its flights from Sabiha Gokcen Airport have been canceled.
Both carriers urged passengers to verify the status of their flights via official airline websites or mobile applications before making any changes to their travel plans.
Severe winter conditions expected in Istanbul
According to forecasts from the Turkish State Meteorological Service, heavy snowfall and strong winds are expected to impact Istanbul until the morning of Friday, Feb. 7.
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) issued a statement on Tuesday, warning residents about the expected precipitation and storm conditions.
According to the statement, a cold and rainy weather system originating from Siberia is expected to affect most regions of the country, particularly Istanbul. With temperatures set to drop throughout the evening, rain is forecast to transition into snow, especially in the northern districts, starting late at night.
By Friday morning, precipitation is expected to persist in the form of light rain throughout the following week, while temperatures are projected to stay within seasonal winter averages, ranging between 5-7 degrees Celsius (41-44.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
