Casablanca – Adverse weather and sharply reduced visibility threw air traffic in Istanbul into chaos on Sunday, disrupting operations at Sabiha Gokcen Airport and forcing dozens of cancellations, long holding patterns, and multiple diversions.
AJet said it canceled 51 flights scheduled for Sunday, March 29, after the Meteorological Emergency Committee moved to restrict traffic at the airport. The airline also diverted 11 other flights to alternate airports, according to a statement from press advisor Mehmet Yesilkaya, who said further cancellations and reroutes could follow if conditions fail to improve.
İstanbul’daki olumsuz hava koşulları nedeni ile Meteorolojik Acil Durum Komitesi’nin uçuşların kısıtlanması kararına istinaden; 29 Mart Pazar günü Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı kalkışlı ve varışlı 51 seferimiz iptal edilmiştir. 11 seferimiz de başka havalimanlarına yönlendirilmiştir.…
— Mehmet Yeşilkaya (@myesilkaya76) March 29, 2026
Pegasus Airlines separately announced the cancellation of 76 flights departing from and arriving at Sabiha Gokcen, also citing the weather-related restrictions in Istanbul. The company said the disruption was in line with the committee’s decision and urged passengers to monitor official updates before heading to the airport.
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The problems worsened as rainfall intensified across parts of the city. Visibility dropped significantly, making landings difficult. Aircraft approaching Sabiha Gokcen were forced to circle overhead for extended periods, while some flights nearing fuel limits had to divert to nearby airports. Many Pegasus and AJet aircraft were redirected to Istanbul Airport instead, adding to congestion in the city’s airspace.
Airport authority HEAS said flight restrictions would remain in place for both Sunday, March 29, and Monday, March 30, after updated assessments from the General Directorate of Meteorology pointed to continued adverse conditions around the airport. Officials asked passengers to check the latest flight status through airline websites and call centers.
The disruptions left many travelers facing uncertainty as weather conditions remained unstable into Monday, with both airlines warning that additional cancellations and diversions were still possible. For now, operations continue under safety-first protocols as Istanbul braces for more rain.
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