site.btaWinter Storm Cancels Hundreds of Flights in Istanbul

Some 150 flights were cancelled from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport in Istanbul on Wednesday due to bad weather, Turkiye's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure reported. Due to icy conditions, heavy snowfall and high winds, some 400 flights in total, both domestic and international, are expected to be cancelled on Thursday and Friday.

Measures have been taken to keep Istanbul Central Airport running in winter conditions, however, some flights may still be cancelled, the Ministry said. Passengers are advised to check the websites of Turkish airports and airlines for updates.

According to the Istanbul Disaster Coordination Centre (AKOM) of the Greater Istanbul Municipality, the Altai snowstorm will hit Marmara region, including Istanbul, between February 19 and 23.

The heaviest snow in five years is expected to fall in the next few days, with snow cover expected to reach 40 cm, local weather forecasters said.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said that it is important not to go travel on the road in private vehicles unless absolutely necessary. People with disabilities and pregnant women are allowed not to go to work on Wednesday, and employees in general are advised to work remotely, he added.