World · Middle East · 5 hrs ago
Bad weather diverts 43 flights from Istanbul Airport and disrupts Sabiha Gökçen
Heavy rain and strong winds disrupted flights in Istanbul, affecting Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
The transport ministry said 43 planes unable to land at Istanbul Airport were diverted to airports in Turkey and abroad.
They were sent to destinations including Ankara, Izmir, Tehran, Burgas and Athens.
Sabiha Gökçen paused some operations because of strong winds and wind shear, a sudden change in wind speed or direction.
Three planes from Sabiha Gökçen were also diverted to Ankara, bringing the total of diverted planes mentioned by the ministry to 46.
Flights at Sabiha Gökçen resumed by 22:02, after departures had been stopped at 21:42; the ministry gave no further update on Istanbul Airport operations.
Bad weather disrupted flight operations at Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Turkey’s Transport and Infrastructure Ministry said.
A total of 43 aircraft unable to land at Istanbul Airport were diverted to alternative airports in Turkey and abroad.
At Sabiha Gökçen, strong winds and wind shear temporarily halted landings, and departures were stopped.
Three aircraft at Sabiha Gökçen were diverted to Ankara as of 22:00.
The ministry said arrivals and departures at Sabiha Gökçen resumed at 22:02.
- Who
- The Transport and Infrastructure Ministry reported the disruptions affecting flights at Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
- What
- Bad weather disrupted operations; 43 aircraft unable to land at Istanbul Airport were diverted, and three aircraft at Sabiha Gökçen were sent to Ankara.
- When
- On 14 October 2026. Sabiha Gökçen departures stopped at 21:42, and operations resumed at 22:02.
- Where
- Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, in Istanbul, Turkey.
- Why
- Heavy rain and strong winds caused disruption; strong winds and wind shear halted landings at Sabiha Gökçen.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Departures at Sabiha Gökçen Airport were stopped because of strong winds and wind shear.
Three aircraft were diverted from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Ankara Esenboğa Airport.
Arrivals and departures at Sabiha Gökçen Airport resumed.
- Aircraft diverted from Istanbul Airport
- 43
- Diversions to Ankara Esenboğa
- 16 from Istanbul Airport; 3 from Sabiha Gökçen Airport
- Other domestic diversion airports
- Sabiha Gökçen 8; İzmir Adnan Menderes 10; Balıkesir Koca Seyit 2; Çanakkale 2; Antalya 1
- International diversion airports
- Tehran 1; Burgas 2; Athens 1
- Sabiha Gökçen departure suspension
- 21:42
- Sabiha Gökçen operations resumed
- 22:02
2 sources
What people are saying
Due to adverse weather conditions affecting Istanbul, flight operations at Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport have been disrupted.
A total of 43 aircraft unable to land at Istanbul Airport have been diverted to alternative airports in Turkey and abroad.