Turkish airspace is open and operating normally, and Istanbul’s airports are running at record volume.
There is no general closure of Turkish airspace, and Türkiye is not covered by any active EASA conflict-zone bulletin. On 16 August 2026, Istanbul Airport (IST) handled 290,287 passengers on 1,739 flights, the highest daily figures ever recorded in Türkiye or Europe.
The one thing still worth checking is the rest of your itinerary. Türkiye itself is normal, but a flight that continues into Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan or the Gulf can be rerouted or retimed because of restrictions in those airspaces.
Is Turkish Airspace Open?
Open to commercial traffic. No general closure of Turkish airspace has been announced. EASA maintains conflict-zone bulletins for Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and the Persian Gulf, but none for Türkiye.
State airports authority DHMI recorded more than 1.1 million flights using Turkish airspace in the first half of 2026, an aircraft crossing roughly every 14 seconds, carrying 112 million passengers.
Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen
Both Istanbul airports are operating.
- Istanbul Airport (IST): operating normally and setting records. Its 16 August peak of 290,287 passengers and 1,739 flights was an all-time daily high for Türkiye and for Europe.
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW): operating, with active scheduled departures and arrivals.
Allow a sensible connection buffer at Istanbul if either end of your journey touches the wider Middle East, and check your inbound flight as well as your onward one.
Are Airlines Operating?
Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines and AJet are all operating domestic and international services. Turkish Airlines has restored several regional routes that were suspended earlier in the year, including Damascus and Amman.
Route-level availability into the Middle East still varies by airline and date. Check your specific flight with the operating carrier rather than assuming the usual timetable applies. You can see who is currently flying your route on Wego’s Istanbul flights page.
Rebooking and Refunds
The conflict-related waivers issued earlier in 2026 have now expired. Turkish Airlines’ notice covered flights up to 30 June 2026 and required any change, refund or validity extension to be completed by 10 August 2026. Earlier Pegasus and AJet waivers had their own deadlines, which have also passed.
That means standard fare rules now apply to a new booking. If your flight is cancelled or delayed, your protection comes from Türkiye’s SHY-PASSENGER regulation, which can cover denied boarding, cancellation, long delay and cabin-class changes depending on the circumstances. Complain to the airline first, and escalate to the Turkish civil aviation authority (SHGM) if the response is missing or unsatisfactory.
Current Travel Advice
- United Kingdom: the FCDO advises against all travel within 10 km of Türkiye’s border with Syria. The rest of the country carries no blanket advisory against travel.
- United States: Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, because of terrorism, armed conflict and arbitrary detentions. Do Not Travel applies within 10 km of the borders with Syria and Iraq.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Turkish airspace open?
Yes. Turkish airspace is open to commercial traffic, no general closure has been announced, and Türkiye is not covered by any active EASA conflict-zone bulletin.
Are Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen open?
Yes. Both are operating. Istanbul Airport set an all-time Türkiye and Europe daily record on 16 August 2026 with 290,287 passengers on 1,739 flights.
Are flights between Istanbul and the Middle East operating?
Many are, including restored Turkish Airlines services to Damascus and Amman, but availability varies by airline, destination and date. Several European carriers still have suspensions in place on Middle East routes. Check your specific flight with the operating airline.
Do the conflict-era rebooking waivers still apply?
No. Turkish Airlines’ waiver covered travel to 30 June 2026 with a 10 August 2026 transaction deadline, and the Pegasus and AJet waivers have also lapsed. Standard fare rules and Türkiye’s SHY-PASSENGER protections apply now.
What do current Türkiye travel advisories say?
The UK advises against all travel within 10 km of the Syrian border. The US rates Türkiye Level 2 and advises against travel within 10 km of the borders with Syria and Iraq. Neither restricts travel to Istanbul or the main tourist regions.
Sources
- Anadolu Agency: Istanbul Airport sets new daily flight and passenger record
- Daily Sabah: DHMI air traffic figures for the first half of 2026
- EASA: active conflict zone information bulletins
- Istanbul Airport: departing flight information
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport: flight information
- Turkish Airlines: announcements
- SHGM: passenger rights and complaints
- UK FCDO: Türkiye travel advice
- US Embassy Türkiye: Level 2 travel advisory
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
