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19 March 2024

Istanbul Airport attack: Which UAE flights cancelled

Passengers embrace outside Ataturk airport`s main enterance in Istanbul, on June 28, 2016, after two explosions followed by gunfire hit Turkey's largest airport, killing at least 10 people and injuring 20. (AFP)

Published
By Bindu Rai

A number of UAE flights have been cancelled in wake of the attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport that has left 36 people dead and another 150 wounded.

The airport authority of the world’s 11th busiest airport posted the closure of its premises on its official social media account, stating: “Istanbul Ataturk Airport is closed to flights until June 29th, 05:00 o'clock as per the concerned legal NOTAM (Notice To Air Man).”

Emirates, Etihad and Turkish Airlines have confirmed their flights between the UAE and Istanbul have been affected, with passenger rebooking options made available for ticketholders.

Emirates

In a statement to Emirates 24|7, an Emirates spokesperson confirmed travel on flights EK121 and EK122 have been affected for June 29.

The spokesperson said: “Due to the closure of Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport (IST), Emirates flights EK121/122 between Dubai and Istanbul on 29 June have been cancelled.

“All passengers booked on these flights will have the option to transfer to our services between Dubai and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), EK119/120 on 29 June.”

Passengers will be responsible for arranging their own transportation from/to these stations.

The airline said it was monitoring the situation in Istanbul closely and the safety of its passengers, crew and staff is remained top priority and would not be compromised.

Etihad

The Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has also confirmed flights EY097 and EY098 have been cancelled for June 29.

An Etihad spokesperson further stated: "Etihad Airways flights EY097/098 scheduled to operate between Abu Dhabi and Istanbul have been cancelled today Wednesday June 29 ,2016  due to the closure of Ataturk Airport following the explosions there earlier on June 28."

The airline is offering one free of charge move to another date of travel on or before July 10 in the original class of booking, or if original booking class is not available, then in the next available class.

This is applicable for passengers who have purchased tickets before 29 June 2016 and are booked to travel to and from Istanbul on the day, and who may now wish to alter their flight plans

Other options available include the change fees, which will be waived for this one instance only, with the exception of passengers who have already been re-routed via an alternative airport, who may now make an additional change back to/from Istanbul (subject to availability) at no additional charge.

Meanwhile, those with partially used and fully unutilised tickets, can re-route to either Athens, Larnaca or Istanbul (Sabiha Gökçen Airport) free of charge in the same cabin, effective until 10 July 2016.

Etihad further added: "The airline is providing all necessary assistance to passengers who may miss their connecting flights as a result of this event and advising them of itinerary changes."

Affected passengers are also advised to contact the Etihad Airways Contact Centre or visit the Etihad Airways website for further updates.

Turkish Airlines

Meanwhile, in its online update Turkish Airlines has posted three Dubai flights have been affected: TK0761, TK0762 and TK0763

The airline said: “Due to the incident that has taken place at Ataturk International Airport on 28 June 2016, passengers who have bookings on the flights from/to Istanbul Ataturk Airport between 28 Jun 05 Jul 2016, provided that they submit their request until 31 Jul 2016 will have all rebooking and rerouting will be made without any charge.

“[Those with] refund requests on unused tickets will see a refund made without any charge; or for partially used tickets, when planned trip is not complete; the remaining flights will be refunded without any charge.”

The airline said those who choose to have an extension of ticket validity can have their ticket extended until 31 Jul 2016 (included) without any fare difference or charge.

Passengers are being requested to check the latest information about their flights before their trip on the airline’s website or call centre.