ISTANBUL- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) was temporarily closed on Sunday, June 29, as severe wildfires swept through the Gaziemir district, causing widespread disruption to inbound and outbound flights.
The blaze forced cancellations and diversions of numerous services, including those operated by SunExpress (XQ), Pegasus Airlines (PC), Turkish Airlines (TK), and Aer Lingus (EI), as thick smoke and adverse winds compromised flight safety.
Photo: Burçin Gönenli | Linkedin PageWildfire Disrupts Flights at Izmir Airport
The situation escalated rapidly as forest fires broke out across several parts of Izmir, a coastal tourist hub.
According to airport authorities, Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) suspended operations at 16:00 local time due to worsening conditions. High winds and dense smoke from the Gaziemir fires made it unsafe for air traffic.
As a result, incoming aircraft were redirected to alternate airports, and departures were halted.
An official statement confirmed that after the issuance of a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), the airport began gradual reopening.
The first successful departure following the shutdown was Pegasus Airlines (PC) Flight 1864 to Ercan, which took off at 21:50 local time.
Despite this resumption, major delays continued into Monday. A SunExpress (XQ) flight to London Stansted experienced a 21-hour delay, while an Aer Lingus (EI) flight to Dublin was cancelled entirely.
Photo: AirbusFirefighting Efforts and Local Response
Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that multiple wildfires had ignited across İzmir due to ongoing heat and strong winds.
In a public statement, he said the city’s emergency response teams—including firefighters, tankers, and heavy machinery—were operating at full capacity, particularly in Menderes, Seferihisar, and Gaziemir districts.
Dr. Tugay also highlighted the human impact behind many such disasters, urging the public to avoid any actions that might spark additional fires, especially during hot weather.
“A small act of negligence is enough to burn down an entire forest, thousands of creatures living within it, and our homes,” he warned.
Photo: By scott wright – originally posted to Flickr as ei-dub, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7757844Regional Fire Alerts
The ongoing crisis in Turkey mirrors similar wildfire concerns across Europe. According to Independent, the continent is experiencing its first major heatwave of the summer, with temperatures predicted to reach 42°C in some regions.
Greece has already reported wildfires on the island of Chios, while France has issued high-level fire warnings in several departments.
This latest event follows a deadly trend. In August of the previous year, Turkey endured one of its worst wildfire seasons after recording its hottest July in 53 years.
The Turkish State Meteorological Service registered a peak temperature of 45.9°C in Şırnak, southeast Turkey.
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NASA and FAA Developing New Technology to Suppress WildFire
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