Istanbul Storm: Flight Cancellations and Citywide School Closures

A snowstorm hit the city of Istanbul on Wednesday, prompting Turkish Airlines to cancel some flights and the suspension of classes across the city the following day due to heavy snowfall.

School Suspension

Istanbul's governor, Dawood Gul, announced the suspension of education in schools throughout the city on Thursday due to the heavy snowfall.

In a post on the platform "X" on Wednesday, Gul stated that data from the General Directorate of Meteorology indicated expectations of heavy snowfall and ice accumulation across the entire city.

He added: "For the safety of students and citizens, education will be suspended in all educational institutions (kindergartens, primary schools, middle schools, and high schools) in Istanbul on February 20."

Additionally, female government employees with children under the age of 8, pregnant employees, and individuals with special needs will be granted administrative leave on Thursday.

Flight Cancellations

Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines announced the cancellation of some flights at Istanbul International Airport on Thursday and Friday due to the snowstorm expected to hit the city for four days.

Yahya Oston, a spokesperson for Turkish Airlines, posted on the platform "X" on Wednesday that the decision to cancel some flights to and from Istanbul Airport was made based on restrictions imposed by the emergency weather committee due to the anticipated snowfall.

Oston clarified that this would include the cancellation of some flights to and from Istanbul Airport on February 20 and 21.

Additionally, the management of "Sabiha Gokcen International Airport" in Istanbul announced the cancellation of 30% of the scheduled flights on Saturday due to the storm.

In a statement, the airport's management also modified the decision made on Tuesday to reduce flights on Thursday and Friday.

The statement read: "In addition to the cancellation of 10% of flights on February 20, 15% of the remaining flights will be canceled, and an additional 15% of flights on February 21 will also be canceled, along with 15% of the remaining flights."

The statement continued: "30% of the scheduled flights on February 22 will be canceled."

The airport management requested passengers to follow updates about their flights through the airlines' websites.

The ministry also stated that the flight crew schedules at both airports had been reviewed, and necessary arrangements had been made for critical task teams. Reports also indicated an increase in the number of working teams and that airlines had taken additional measures to avoid disrupting their operations.