Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport Temporarily Shut Down After AJet Boeing 737-800 Runway Incident: What You Need to Know

Published on December 8, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

On December 7, 2025, a serious runway incident occurred at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW), Turkey, involving AJet Flight VF102. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 (Registration TC-JZN), was en route from Pristina, Kosovo to Istanbul when the incident took place. The aircraft, after landing on the newly opened runway 06R/24L, deviated from the taxiway and came to a halt on soft terrain, just moments after touching down. This event has caused significant disruption at one of Turkey’s busiest international airports.

What Happened?
AJet Flight VF102, a regular flight between Pristina (PRN) in Kosovo and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) in Turkey, was involved in a runway excursion incident on December 7, 2025. After performing a standard landing on runway 06R/24L, the aircraft unexpectedly deviated from the taxiway due to wet and soft terrain caused by heavy rainfall. The plane came to a stop at the edge of the runway, causing a temporary closure of the airport’s new runway.

Where Did It Happen?
The incident occurred at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW), a critical hub for both Turkish domestic and international travel. The new runway, 06R/24L, was temporarily closed to allow for the safe removal of the aircraft and subsequent investigations. The closure has had a significant impact on airport operations.

When Did It Happen?
The incident took place on Sunday, December 7, 2025, and as of December 8, 2025, the runway remains closed. There has been an ongoing investigation into the precise cause of the deviation and a full assessment of the runway’s safety conditions.

Why Did It Happen?
The primary cause of the incident was heavy rainfall, which resulted in a wet and slippery runway. The aircraft, as it was taxiing, encountered soft ground, causing it to veer off course. AJet, the airline involved in the incident, attributed the deviation to the wet conditions at the airport following the rainfall. Despite the seriousness of the situation, there have been no reports of injuries among passengers or crew members.

How Did the Airport and Airlines Respond?
Following the incident, Sabiha Gokcen’s runway 06R/24L was closed temporarily for an inspection. The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority (TAA) and the airport administration have launched an official investigation to determine the exact cause of the deviation. In the meantime, airport operations have been severely disrupted, with many flights diverted to Istanbul Airport (IST) and other nearby airports due to the runway closure.

Passengers traveling through Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen are advised to check their flight status frequently. Delays, cancellations, and diversions are expected to continue until the runway is fully cleared. In particular, AJet and Pegasus Airlines, which both rely heavily on SAW as a hub, have been the most affected, with several flights facing substantial delays or being rerouted to other airports.

Passenger Impact and Airport Disruption:

Flight Delays and Cancellations
The closure of one of Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen’s primary runways has had an immediate and wide-reaching impact on flight operations. Passengers have reported significant delays at the airport, with several flights departing hours later than originally scheduled. The reduced runway capacity has also caused severe bottlenecks, with arriving flights unable to land or having to perform go-arounds, increasing waiting times both in the air and on the ground.

For passengers, especially those traveling from international locations, this means unpredictable schedules and added stress. Airlines are advising passengers to check their flight statuses frequently and to arrive at the airport early to account for potential delays or changes in terminal assignments. Flights to and from SAW are being diverted to nearby Istanbul Airport (IST) or other regional airports, adding further complexity to travel plans.

Diverted Flights and Additional Travel Time
As a result of the runway closure, many international flights scheduled to land at Sabiha Gokcen have been diverted to other airports, most notably Istanbul Airport (IST), which is located approximately 45 minutes away from SAW by road. This has caused considerable inconvenience for passengers who now have to deal with extra travel time, and in some cases, additional fees for rebooking flights or arranging onward transportation.

For those with connecting flights, this diversion has led to missed connections and even further disruptions in the travel chain. This is particularly challenging for passengers traveling on a tight schedule or those with international connections that require precise timings.

Evacuation and Safety Measures
All 150 passengers and crew members on AJet Flight VF102 were safely evacuated from the aircraft after it deviated from the taxiway. The evacuation occurred via external stairs, which indicates that the situation was controlled and did not require the use of emergency slides. The absence of injuries in this incident is a testament to the efficiency of the evacuation process and the safety measures in place. However, for passengers involved, the experience was certainly traumatic, especially considering the tense atmosphere created by the unexpected deviation and subsequent airport disruptions.

What Passengers Should Know About Their Rights
Passengers impacted by this incident should be aware of their rights under international travel regulations. Since the event was caused by weather conditions—classified as an “extraordinary circumstance”—airlines are not obligated to provide financial compensation, such as the typical €600 compensation under European regulations, for delays or cancellations caused by weather.

However, under passenger protection laws like EU/UK 261, airlines are required to provide care, including meals and refreshments, for passengers experiencing long delays. For those stranded overnight, accommodation and transport to the hotel must also be provided. Additionally, passengers have the right to choose between a refund or re-routing to their final destination at the earliest available opportunity.

Long-Term Impacts on Air Travel
While the immediate disruptions are expected to subside once the runway is cleared and fully inspected, the aftermath of this runway excursion incident may have longer-lasting impacts on both airport operations and the broader aviation sector. AJet and Pegasus Airlines, which operate a large volume of flights through Sabiha Gokcen, are likely to experience sustained delays as they rework schedules to accommodate the backlog caused by the incident.

In the coming days, more delays can be expected at the airport as flights are rescheduled and the airport works to return to normal operations. The incident is likely to prompt a review of safety protocols and operational procedures at Sabiha Gokcen, especially given the challenges posed by inclement weather conditions and the vulnerability of airport infrastructure during adverse weather events.

In Conclusion:

The AJet Boeing 737-800 runway excursion at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has had a significant impact on air travel in the region. While no injuries were reported, the disruption caused by the closure of one of the main runways has affected hundreds of passengers, leading to delays, cancellations, and diversions. Passengers are advised to remain patient, stay informed, and check the status of their flights regularly. While this incident was caused by a combination of weather and operational factors, the immediate concerns for travelers are related to the disruptions in their schedules, the need for alternative arrangements, and the ongoing investigation into the causes of the runway excursion. Passengers can expect delays for the next several days as the airport and airline authorities work to clear the backlog and resume normal operations.

Image: Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport