Latest news with #İzmirAdnanMenderesAirport
Time Out
2 days ago
- Time Out
Wildfires in Europe: Is it safe to travel to Greece, Turkïye and Italy right now?
As parts of Europe contend with record-breaking heat, wildfires have broken out in countries including Greece, Italy and Türkiye, forcing thousands of locals to evacuate their homes. So what does this all mean for your travel plans? Should you pack the SPF 50 or cancel your flight altogether? Here are all the latest updates on the European wildfires and what they mean for your safety, itinerary and wallet. Where are the wildfires in Europe? Dozens of fires have been reported across Greece, affecting the Attica region and Athens suburbs, as well as Kythira island, in the village of Pitsinades; Evia island, in the village of Pissona; Messinia and the Polithea area of Trifylia. There were also reports of wildfires in Chios and the southern island of Crete, where 5,000 tourists were forced to evacuate. Parts of southern Italy are also ablaze, threatening locals and tourists in Sardinia, where many were evacuated by boat. There are also active fires in Sicily, particularly on the south coast and near Palermo. Turkïye has been struggling with daily wildfires for the past few weeks in the northwest, including Karabuk and the region of Eskisehir, as well as the city of Silopi in the southeast. The Turkish government also declared the western provinces of Izmir and Bilecik as disaster areas this past Friday, according to CNN. Fires are also active in southern Cyprus and multiple countries in the Balkans including Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Bulgaria. Is it safe to travel? While there have been no official 'do not travel' warnings issued for these countries, with flights operating as usual, it's always best to check with reliable local news sources for any sudden changes. Türkiye's İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport briefly closed in late June due to the fires, but has since reopened as normal, and advised travellers to double-check their flight status before leaving for their trip. The UK Foreign Office has not banned travel, but states that Greece is at 'high risk of wildfires' which are 'highly dangerous and unpredictable'. Can I get a refund if I cancel my trip? Right now, it depends on your travel purchase and policies. Since no government has warned against travelling, travellers who choose to cancel are not likely to be covered as it'd be seen as 'disinclination to travel'. However, it's best to check with your airline and tour operator. If you can't get a refund, you might be able to change your travel dates. 'If government advice changes, advising against travel to the area after you have booked your trip, then you can be covered for cancellation or curtailment,' said Defaqto travel insurance expert Anna-Marie Duthie to The Times. 'You can also be covered for additional travel and accommodation costs should your trip be disrupted due to a catastrophic event if your insurer offers this cover, or you have paid for the option to include it.' Extreme weather and heatwaves in Europe With the rise of climate change and consistent record-breaking heat across the globe, extreme weather conditions in Europe are on the rise. Earlier this month, we saw wildfires in Marseille and an earthquake on the coast of Spain following severe rain and flooding across the country. Europe's summers are getting longer and hotter, with no signs of cooling anytime soon. Travellers are advised to monitor local weather alerts and make sure they have comprehensive travel insurance.
Time Out
01-07-2025
- Time Out
Is it safe to travel to Türkiye? Latest advice as wildfires lead to evacuations and cancelled flights
Türkiye is one of Europe's most-visited summer holiday destinations, and İzmir, a city which lies on the Aegean coast, is a go-to for its gorgeous beaches and ancient historical sites. However, exactly one year after we reported on the region being ravaged by wildfires in 2024, more fires broke out on Sunday June 29 and are yet to be contained, with 50,000 people having been evacuated. If you have a trip booked to Türkiye, this is obviously worrying news. So, read on for everything you need to know about travelling to the country amidst the continuing wildfires, and whether you could be entitled to some compensation. Where are the wildfires in Türkiye? Türkiye's western region of İzmir, which is popular with tourists, has been ravaged by wildfires since Sunday June 29. The fires broke out and spread due to strong, dry winds which reached up to 75 mph. Kuyucak and Doganbey are two areas particularly affected. Is it safe to travel? AFAD, Türkiye's emergency management authority, has said that 50,000 people have been evacuated because of the blaze, and a little over 42,000 of these were from Seferihisar in İzmir. It has also said 350 personnel are helping combat the fires, with support from the Turkish Red Cross. İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport had to close temporarily on Monday June 30, with the departure boards showing that all flights had been suspended as of 4pm local time. Services have since resumed, but travellers are being encouraged to check their flight status before leaving home. According to Manchester Evening News, around 80 people have been given hospital treatment due to the fires, but thankfully no fatalities have been reported. If you have a trip booked to the region in the next few days, your best bet would be to contact your travel provider directly for all the latest information on whether your accommodation might be affected by the evacuations. Travel to other destinations in Türkiye like Antalya, Bodrum, Cappadocia and Istanbul is safe. What started the fires in Türkiye? Western Europe is currently engulfed in a 'heat dome' (when high pressure traps hot air), and it's been compounded by hot air from North Africa and worsened by pollution. According to the Mayor of İzmir, Dr Cemil Tugay, the majority of fires in the region were started by 'human hands', but the extremely dry conditions and strong winds whipping through the region have helped the fire to spread. 'We are simultaneously battling numerous fires breaking out all across our beautiful İzmir. In collaboration with relevant institutions, our Fire Department, along with heavy machinery, tankers, and all field personnel, is on high alert,' said Tugay. 'A small act of negligence is enough to burn down an entire forest, thousands of creatures living within it, and our homes. Please, let us be extremely careful from now on. Especially in hot weather, let us steer clear of any activities that could cause a fire.' What's the latest UK Foreign Office advice? The FCDO has not updated its travel advice in light of the wildfires, but the safety and security page has a section which reads: 'Wildfires happen frequently in Turkey during summer. You could get a fine or prison sentence for lighting a fire of any kind or discarding cigarettes in risk areas such as woodland. Look out for signs that tell you fires, barbeques, and smoking are prohibited. If there is a wildfire in your area, local authorities may tell you to leave your accommodation. Follow the directions of local authorities. If you see a wildfire, call emergency services on 112.' Can I get a refund if I choose not to travel because of wildfires? Because the FCDO has not issued advice against travelling to Türkiye because of the fires, you won't automatically be entitled to a refund if you decide not to travel. Contract your travel provider directly to see what can be done. As for flights, UK travellers are covered by the law if you depart from a UK airport, arrive at a UK airport on a UK or EU airline, or arrive at an EU airport on a UK airline. What this means is that your airline must provide you with assistance if your flight is cancelled, such as with food vouchers or overnight accommodation. This isn't always possible with big disasters as resources can be overstretched, but you can cover yourself and then claim compensation later (but keep all of your receipts!). The Civil Aviation Authority says all these things must be covered until you can reach your destination. However, according to the Independent this isn't necessarily the case if the cancellation wasn't the airline's fault, such as with natural disasters, so check directly with your transport provider. What started the fires in Türkiye in 2024? Dry weather and extremely hot temperatures from mid-June until early July 2024 saw similar regions affected by wildfires. Where else in Europe has been affected by wildfires? Europe is suffering a serious heatwave right now, with destinations such as Italy, Spain, France, and Croatia being scorched by extremely high temperatures. However, Türkiye is the only country experiencing wildfires right now. If you're travelling to the region, keep an eye on local media for the best precautions to take, and read our guide to the heatwave here.
Irish Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Raging wildfires ground flights at busy tourist airport amid mass evacuation
A major tourist airport in Turkey has been forced to ground flights due to wildfires on Sunday evening. Both take-offs and landings were suspended at Adnan Menderes Airport, which serves the popular coastal city of Izmir, after a major fire broke out in the area. Photos taken at the scene show huge flames rising - and plumes of smoke covering the sky. The flights affected by the disruption are both international and national. Among passengers facing delays are some due to travel to Dublin, London Stansted and Brussels. Follow our live blog for the latest updates... Turkish firefighters are facing a battle on all sides as they desperately try to put out flames tearing through a number of towns, including the popular British holiday hotspot, Izmir. An infernal forest fire has spread to residential areas of Turkey, with at least 10 settlements being evacuated. Investigators believe the fires were man made, with one suspect being arrested for arson with gasoline in connection with a fire in the Buca area of Izmir. An additional 17 suspects have been arrested in connection with the fires in different provinces across the affected area. On Sunday, there were 77 separate fires raging through the country, 53 of them in forests. Several properties have already been destroyed by the flames, which have been burning for 12 hours. Authorities have been unable to use firefighting aircraft due to strong winds. Passengers due to travel to and from Adnan Menderest Airport are facing disruption this evening because of the wildfires. Some of them have seen their flights delayed by several hours while others have had their flights cancelled altogether. At this stage, the exact cause of the fire is unknown. Local officials said fire crews are working to contain the blaze. Adnan Menderes Airport, which serves the coastal city of Izmir, either suspended or cancelled flights this evening. This is due to a major wildfire that broke out in the area and expanded due to winds. An airport spokesperson said: "Due to the forest fire in İzmir's Gaziemir district and adverse weather conditions, including strong winds, İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport was temporarily closed to air traffic as of 16:00 local time. "Some incoming flights were diverted to alternate airports during the closure. "Following the NOTAM [meaning notice to airmen], the runway has reopened and the first flight, PC 1864 to Ercan, has successfully departed at 21:50 local time. Flight operations are gradually returning to normal." The airport's website shows that some flights have landed - and more are en route to Izmir, some with significant delays. The planes that have landed so far included a Pegasus flight from Istanbul, a Bulgaria Air flight from Sofia and a Sun Express Airlines flight from Antalya. These are the latest updates on the airport's website - some flights have departed and others have just finished boarding. However, some passengers will need to wait until tomorrow to depart. According to the airport's departure board, some flights have now departed. They include a Sun Express Airlines flight to Venice, Italy, and another to Copenhagen, Denmark. A Pegasus flight to Ercan, Northern Cyprus, also took off with a four-hour delay. As flights slowly resume, more delays are expected. For example, passengers who were due to travel to Amsterdam at 4.05pm local time today will depart at midday tomorrow - a delay of nearly 20 hours. A flight to Rotterdam is also facing a huge delay of over 19 hours. It was set to depart at 4.45pm local time today, but has been rescheduled for 12pm tomorrow. Passengers who were due to travel to London Stansted with SunExpress Airlines are facing a huge delay of 21 hours. Their flight was set to depart at 10.30pm this evening but the new departure time is now estimated to be 7.30pm tomorrow. It looks like some flights might be resuming as the departure board indicates that some passengers, such as those due to travel the SunExpress Airlines flight XQ 9190, can now head to the gate. The flight was originally set to depart at 4.40pm local time but the new departure time is now 11.30pm, which is 9.30pm in the UK. According to the latest updates on the airport's departure board, these are some of the cancelled flights: For all the latest information on your flight, check the airport's departure board here or contact your airline. At this stage, the cause of the fire is unknown. Firefighting teams including two planes, one helicopter, three water tenders, and a water supply vehicle from the Izmir Regional Directorate of Forestry were dispatched to the area. They were also joined by the municipal fire brigade. Adnan Menderes Airport, which serves the coastal city of Izmir, either suspended or cancelled flights this evening.
Scottish Sun
29-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Turkey travel chaos as airport shuts down due to raging wildfires ripping through hols hotspot with hundreds evacuated
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TRAVEL chaos has erupted in a Turkish holiday hotspot after raging wildfires blazed across the region and sparked mass evacuations. The terrifying inferno ripped through the tourist resort of Foça, İzmir, before it was fanned by strong winds and tore through neighbourhoods. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Smoke and flame rise as firefighters continue to extinguish the wildfire in Aliaga district of Izmir Credit: Getty 8 Flames rise from forest area after a wildfire broke out in Seferihisar district Credit: Getty 8 Hundreds were evacuated from their homes Credit: Getty 8 The extinguishing operation involved firefighter on land and in air Credit: Getty Chilling images showed the extent of the fires which ravaged local communities and engulfed forests in flames. Planes were seen dumping large supplies of water over fiery infernos in order to combat the blazes. And local residents watched in horror as their homes were torched up and forestry continued to burn. Aftermath photos showed scorched cars and buildings while firefighters worked desperately to fight the flames. Flights have now been suspended at İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport following the raging wildfires. Ongoing extinguishing efforts prevented jets from taking off or landing at the airport as of 4pm local time. Flights scheduled to land at İzmir were reportedly diverted amid the travel mayhem. And hundreds have been left stranded following the major disruption. Brave firefighters spent 22 gruelling hours fighting the vicious blaze across İzmir. The lengthy operation reportedly involved 625 personnel, six helicopters, 46 fire engines, 9 bulldozers, and 13 water supply vehicles. Holiday warning as wildfire is raging at Greek island forcing evacuations Hundreds were evacuated form their houses - with 550 residents forced out of some 175 homes in Ilıpınar, Foça. Four firefighters were also affected by smoke poisoning, two of whom were hospitalised. The exact cause of the fire is currently unknown. But preliminary findings suggest the inferno may have been caused by a high-voltage power line. The governor of the province, Süleyman Elban, cautioned the population to exercise extreme caution in the next few days. He said low humidity and high temperatures would aggravate the risk of more fires. 8 Homes were burned to cinders Credit: Getty 8 Cars were torched up in the fires Credit: Getty The governor said: "We expect the next four or five days to be very hot, with strong winds and low humidity. These conditions are perfect for a fire. "Everyone's life is at stake. We must all be extremely cautious." Wildfires were also reported in Sakarya, Bilecik, and Manisa this week. Environment Minister Murat Kurum said in Bilecik, 23 houses and 47 units in 3 villages were destroyed in the forest fires, whilst 41 houses and 25 barns and warehouses were severely damaged. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, said: "Nine major fires broke out in İzmir, Denizli, Aydın and Manisa. "The fire in Manisa started again due to wind. "Four villages and two neighbourhoods were evacuated due to the fire." 8 Jets deployed water supplies over blazing regions Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
29-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Turkey travel chaos as airport shuts down due to raging wildfires ripping through hols hotspot with hundreds evacuated
TRAVEL chaos has erupted in a Turkish holiday hotspot after raging wildfires blazed across the region and sparked mass evacuations. The terrifying inferno ripped through the tourist resort of Foça, İzmir, before it was fanned by strong winds and tore through neighbourhoods. 8 Smoke and flame rise as firefighters continue to extinguish the wildfire in Aliaga district of Izmir Credit: Getty 8 Flames rise from forest area after a wildfire broke out in Seferihisar district Credit: Getty 8 Hundreds were evacuated from their homes Credit: Getty 8 The extinguishing operation involved firefighter on land and in air Credit: Getty Chilling images showed the extent of the fires which ravaged local communities and engulfed Planes were seen dumping large supplies of water over fiery infernos in order to combat the blazes. And local residents watched in horror as their homes were torched up and Aftermath photos showed scorched cars and buildings while firefighters worked desperately to fight the READ MORE WORLD NEWS Flights have now been suspended at İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport following the raging wildfires. Ongoing extinguishing efforts prevented jets from taking off or landing at the airport as of 4pm local time. Flights scheduled to land at İzmir were reportedly diverted amid the travel mayhem. And hundreds have been left stranded following the major disruption. Most read in The US Sun Brave firefighters spent 22 gruelling hours fighting the vicious blaze across İzmir. The lengthy operation reportedly involved 625 personnel, six helicopters, 46 fire engines, 9 bulldozers, and 13 water supply vehicles. Holiday warning as wildfire is raging at Greek island forcing evacuations Hundreds were evacuated form their houses - with 550 residents forced out of some 175 homes in Ilıpınar, Foça. Four firefighters were also affected by smoke poisoning, two of whom were hospitalised. The exact cause of the fire is currently unknown. But preliminary findings suggest the inferno may have been caused by a high-voltage power line. The governor of the province, Süleyman Elban, cautioned the population to exercise extreme caution in the next few days. He said low humidity and high temperatures would aggravate the risk of more fires. 8 Homes were burned to cinders Credit: Getty 8 Cars were torched up in the fires Credit: Getty The governor said: "We expect the next four or five days to be very hot, with strong winds and low humidity. These conditions are perfect for a fire. "Everyone's life is at stake. We must all be extremely cautious." Wildfires were also reported in Sakarya, Bilecik, and Manisa this week. Environment Minister Murat Kurum said in Bilecik, 23 houses and 47 units in 3 villages were destroyed in the forest fires, whilst 41 houses and 25 barns and warehouses were severely damaged. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, said: "Nine major fires broke out in İzmir, Denizli, Aydın and Manisa. "The fire in Manisa started again due to wind. "Four villages and two neighbourhoods were evacuated due to the fire." 8 Jets deployed water supplies over blazing regions Credit: Getty 8 The fire grounded multiple flights and diverted several Credit: Getty
