Turkish Airlines Cancels Flights to Russia Amid Ukrainian Drone Strikes
Turkish Airlines suspended nearly two dozen flights between Russia and Turkey on Monday as Ukrainian drone strikes continued for a seventh consecutive day.
At least 13 flights between Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport and the Turkish cities of Istanbul, Antalya and Bodrum were canceled, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia said.
Five more flights between St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport and Istanbul and Antalya were also canceled, according to the business newspaper Kommersant. Turkish Airlines provided hotel accommodations and reissued tickets for affected passengers, it added.
Russian aviation authorities on Monday temporarily restricted flights in and out of several cities, including Moscow, citing safety risks from ongoing drone attacks.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defense systems shot down at least four Ukrainian drones approaching the capital overnight.
Moscow airports have introduced 51 flight restrictions lasting a combined 65.5 hours over the past week, according to a tally by the business outlet RBC.
Turkish Airlines canceled dozens of Russia-bound flights on May 8 after two days of heavy drone attacks triggered widespread airspace closures, disrupting travel for thousands of passengers.
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