Turkish Airlines cancels flights to Ukraine

Ukraine closes air space to civilian flights following the Russian military operation

TURKISH Airlines announced the cancellation of all Ukraine flights on Thursday after Ukraine closed its air space to civilian flights following the ongoing Russian military operation.

Turkish Airlines had been operating flights to six points in Ukraine — Kharkiv, Kherson, Kyiv, Lviv, Odessa and Zaporizhia.

The crisis between Ukraine and Russia is posing risks to Turkey’s tourism industry with travellers from those countries cancelling reservations.

Some in the sector are optimistic that should the tension ease in March or April, tourism activity will not be affected significantly, and that there will possibly be last minute bookings from Russian and Ukrainian holidaymakers before the summer ends.

Russian and Ukrainian tourists are significant sources of income for hoteliers particularly in resorts in Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, such as Alanya, Belek and Kemer.

Last year, 4.7 million Russians and nearly two million Ukrainians visited Turkey, while total foreign tourist arrivals in the country stood at 24.7 million, rising more than 94 per cent from 2020. In 2021, Russians and Ukrainians made up 19 per cent and 8.3 per cent of all foreign visitors, respectively.

“Reservations [from Ukraine and Russia] have slowed significantly due to the tension,” said Burhan Sili, chair of the Alanya Touristic Hoteliers Association.

Özgen Uysal, head of the western Mediterranean chapter of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies said he is optimistic that tourism activity could pick up if the tension eases in the period ahead.

On Thursday Turkish Airlines also announced flight cancellations to Moldova and Belarus. Turkish Airlines and Pegasus have said that passengers will receive a full refund on their tickets.