Travellers Grounded In Türkiye As Istanbul, Antalya, And Ankara Delay 569 And Cancel 8 Flights, Disrupting Pegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines, SunExpress, Gulf Air, And Others

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Passengers were disrupted as flight disruptions intensified across Türkiye, with 569 total delays and 8 cancellations reported across Istanbul Airport (138 delays, 5 cancellations), Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (325 delays, 3 cancellations), Antalya Airport (58 delays), and Ankara Esenboğa Airport (48 delays). The most affected airlines included Turkish Airlines (150 total delays), Pegasus Airlines (247 delays, 3 cancellations), and AJet (62 delays), while Gulf Air (3 cancellations), Tunisair (1 cancellation), and Kuwait Airways (1 cancellation) led cancellations. Other major carriers such as Saudia (9 delays), SunExpress (14 delays), and Aeroflot (4 delays) also faced operational disruptions. The affected cities include Istanbul, Antalya, and Ankara, with Istanbul’s two airports accounting for the majority of disruption activity.

• Updated today: Türkiye recorded 569 delays and 8 cancellations across four major airports.
• Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport reported the highest disruption with 325 delays and 3 cancellations.
• Istanbul Airport followed with 138 delays and 5 cancellations.
• Pegasus Airlines led overall disruption volume with 247 delays and 3 cancellations.
• Turkish Airlines recorded the highest delays among full-service carriers with 150 delays.
• No cancellations were reported at Antalya and Ankara Esenboğa airports.
• Secondary carriers like AJet, SunExpress, Saudia, and Aeroflot contributed to delay totals.

Most Affected Airports

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

With 325 delays and 3 cancellations, this airport recorded the highest disruption levels. The majority of delays were driven by Pegasus Airlines, making it the primary congestion point in Türkiye.

Istanbul Airport

Handling 138 delays and 5 cancellations, Istanbul Airport saw the highest number of cancellations. Multiple international carriers, including Gulf Air and Kuwait Airways, contributed to disruption levels.

Antalya Airport

Antalya reported 58 delays, indicating moderate operational strain primarily driven by leisure and regional carriers like Pegasus Airlines and SunExpress.

Ankara Esenboğa Airport

The capital’s airport recorded 48 delays, with disruptions mainly linked to Turkish Airlines and AJet operations.

Airlines Most Affected by Flight Cancellations and Delays

Pegasus Airlines

Recorded 247 delays and 3 cancellations, making it the most operationally impacted airline across all airports.

Turkish Airlines

Reported 150 delays across multiple airports, the highest among legacy carriers.

AJet

Logged 62 delays, reflecting consistent operational pressure across domestic routes.

Gulf Air

Faced 3 cancellations, the highest cancellation count among international carriers.

SunExpress

Reported 14 delays, primarily at Antalya Airport.

Saudia

Registered 9 delays, contributing to international route disruptions.

Aeroflot

Accounted for 4 delays, reflecting minor but notable disruption levels.

What Can Affected Passengers Do?

• Here are the expanded, more detailed versions of those bullets:
• Check real-time flight updates directly through airline apps before heading to airports like Istanbul Airport or Antalya.
  Make it a habit to monitor your flight status multiple times before departure, especially on the day of travel. Airline apps and official airport websites often provide the fastest updates on delays, gate changes, or cancellations. At high-traffic locations such as Istanbul Airport, conditions can shift rapidly, so relying on outdated schedules can lead to unnecessary waiting or missed updates.
• Arrive early at busy hubs such as Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen due to high delay volumes.
  Even if your flight is delayed, arriving early ensures you are ahead of potential long queues at check-in counters, baggage drop, and security screening. Airports experiencing heavy disruption, like Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen, can see congestion build quickly, so giving yourself extra buffer time helps reduce stress and keeps you prepared for sudden schedule changes.
• Stay in contact with airline customer service for rebooking options.
  If your flight is delayed significantly or cancelled, immediately reach out to your airline through multiple channels such as mobile apps, helplines, or airport service desks. Early communication improves your chances of securing alternative flights, especially when airlines like Pegasus Airlines or Turkish Airlines are handling a high volume of disrupted passengers.
• Keep essential items in carry-on baggage in case of extended delays.
  Always pack important belongings such as medications, travel documents, chargers, a change of clothes, and basic toiletries in your hand luggage. With delays reported across airports like Ankara and Antalya, having immediate access to essentials can make extended waiting periods far more manageable and prevent inconvenience if checked baggage is inaccessible.
• Monitor airport announcements, especially at major transit hubs like Istanbul and Ankara.
  Public announcements and display boards often provide critical last-minute information that may not immediately appear on apps. Gate changes, boarding updates, and revised departure times are frequently communicated on-site first, particularly in large and busy airports like Istanbul and Ankara.
• Consider flexible travel plans if flying with heavily impacted airlines.
  When traveling during periods of disruption, flexibility becomes crucial. If possible, avoid tight connections, allow extra transit time, and be open to alternate routes or timings. Airlines experiencing higher delay volumes, such as Pegasus Airlines or AJet, may face cascading schedule impacts, making adaptable plans a practical strategy.

Overview of Flight Cancellations And Delays

Flight operations in Türkiye, across Istanbul, Antalya, and Ankara experienced widespread disruption, with Istanbul emerging as the primary hotspot due to activity at both its major airports. Airlines such as Pegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines, AJet, SunExpress, Saudia, and Aeroflot collectively contributed to the majority of delays, while cancellations remained limited and concentrated among a few carriers. The repeated concentration of delays in Istanbul highlights ongoing operational strain, while Antalya and Ankara saw comparatively moderate disruption levels. Across all cities—Istanbul, Antalya, and Ankara—the data reflects a delay-heavy disruption pattern with minimal cancellations but significant scheduling impact.

Source: Different airports and FlightAware