Wildfires Force Temporary Closure of İzmir Airport Amid Travel Disruption
Travel chaos erupted in western Turkey when a large wildfire ravaged the region near İzmir’s Adnan Menderes Airport, temporarily halting flights and stranding passengers.
The blaze, centred around the Foça district of İzmir province, intensified rapidly on Sunday under the influence of strong winds and extreme heat. Reports confirm that aircraft operations were suspended at Adnan Menderes Airport from 16:00 local time due to dense smoke and safety concerns.
Authorities evacuated several hundred residents from roughly 175 homes in Foça, with emergency teams—including 625 personnel, six helicopters, 46 fire engines, bulldozers and tanker trucks—engaged in a 22-hour effort to combat the flames. Four firefighters also suffered smoke inhalation but were treated and released.
One local resident was arrested in connection with the blaze, accused of deliberately setting his own house alight with petrol, which then ignited the wider area.
Inbound flights were diverted to alternative airports, while departing flights remained grounded until smoke conditions cleared. Operations resumed later that evening, but significant delays persisted as airlines worked through the backlog.
Governor Süleyman Elban warned that the risk of further fires remains high due to low humidity, strong winds and a severe heatwave that continues to grip the region.
Wildfires have also been reported in other provinces, including Muğla, Antalya, Çanakkale and Sakarya, placing emergency services under considerable pressure during peak tourist season.
What Travellers Should Know
- Flight disruptions at İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport may continue in the short term.
- Travellers should check with their airline for schedule updates before heading to the airport.
- Exercise caution when visiting rural or coastal regions; fire risk remains extremely high.
