The airport serves a major tourist destination
Neil Shaw Assistant Editor
06:21, 30 Jun 2025Updated 08:28, 30 Jun 2025
Flames rise from forest area after a wildfire broke out in Seferihisar district, Izmir, Turkiye on June 29, 2025
Passengers heading to Turkey have had their flights cancelled amid evacuations in the popular tourist country. Take-off and landings were all stopped at Adnan Menderes Airport close to Izmir on Sunday.
Wildfires have cause major disruption in Turkey this weekend. A n airport spokesman said: “Due to the forest fire in İzmir’s Gaziemir district and adverse weather conditions, including strong winds, İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport was temporarily closed to air traffic as of 16:00 local time.
“Some incoming flights were diverted to alternate airports during the closure.
“Following the NOTAM [meaning notice to airmen], the runway has reopened and the first flight, PC 1864 to Ercan, has successfully departed at 21:50 local time. Flight operations are gradually returning to normal.”
Some flights departed late on Sunday night, with passengers facing major delays of up to 21 hours. One flight to London set to leave Turkey on Sunday evening has been rescheduled for Monday night.
The flights affected by the disruption are both international and national. Among passengers facing delays are some due to travel to London Stansted, Dublin and Brussels.