Bad weather cancels dozens of flights at Sabiha Gökçen Airport

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

ISTANBUL, TURKEY — Severe weather conditions and poor visibility across Istanbul have forced the cancellation of numerous flights at Sabiha Gökçen Airport, with many arriving planes diverted to Istanbul Airport.

The widespread disruption, driven by a powerful storm system, left thousands of passengers stranded in terminals over the weekend as major carriers like Pegasus and AJet grounded operations following official directives from the Meteorological Emergency Committee.

According to the Anadolu Agency, descending planes were forced to circle in the air for extended periods due to dangerously low visibility. Aircraft that reached critical fuel levels had to change routes and were redirected to alternative landing strips, primarily the nearby Istanbul Airport.

HEAŞ announces weekend flight restrictions

The Sabiha Gökçen Airport Management and Aeronautical Industries (HEAŞ) quickly announced flight restrictions to ensure passenger safety. Officials urged travelers to check with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.

"Due to adverse meteorological conditions around Sabiha Gökçen Airport, flight cancellations will occur on March 29 and March 30 based on the latest assessments by the General Directorate of Meteorology. Passengers are strongly advised to follow up-to-date information regarding their flights through official airline websites and call centers," HEAŞ stated.

Pegasus and AJet ground dozens of flights

Airlines operating from the hub immediately adjusted their schedules. AJet Press Secretary Mehmet Yeşilkaya announced on social media that 51 scheduled flights were canceled for Sunday, and 11 others were diverted to different airports. Yeşilkaya emphasized that operations are continuing without compromising flight safety, warning that further cancellations and diversions remain a possibility if the harsh conditions persist.

Similarly, Pegasus Airlines reported the mutual cancellation of 76 flights departing from and arriving at Sabiha Gökçen Airport. The company confirmed that the decision was made in strict compliance with the Meteorological Emergency Committee's restriction orders.

Passengers stranded in crowded terminals

The sudden wave of cancellations caused significant congestion inside the airport, particularly at the domestic departures terminal. Thousands of passengers seeking ticket changes, updates, or refunds flocked to the airline counters, resulting in massive queues that lasted for hours.

With weather forecasts indicating that the adverse conditions will likely continue in the coming days, authorities strongly advise all travelers to monitor their flight status through airline mobile applications or official websites before leaving their homes.

www.wisenewspress.com