Lightning strikes Pegasus flight diverted by Aegean storms

A Pegasus Airlines flight encountered multiple weather-related challenges, including a lightning strike, while attempting to complete its Sabiha Gokcen-Bodrum route on Saturday.

The Airbus A321 aircraft, unable to land at Bodrum Milas Airport due to adverse weather conditions, was initially diverted to Dalaman Airport where it landed safely. After waiting for weather conditions to improve in Bodrum, the plane took off from Dalaman to complete its original journey.

During this second leg of the journey, the aircraft was struck by lightning. Despite the dramatic incident, which was captured on video, the plane landed safely at Bodrum Milas Airport without incident.

Technical crews inspected the aircraft after landing and found no damage resulting from the lightning strike.

The severe weather affecting Türkiye’s Aegean region, including cumulonimbus clouds (known as CB clouds), has been disrupting air travel throughout the area.

The incident highlights the effectiveness of aircraft safety design. Commercial aircraft like the Airbus A321 are built according to “Faraday Cage” principles, which allow lightning’s electrical charge to spread quickly throughout the aluminum body of the aircraft before dissipating into the air, preventing damage to the plane’s critical systems.