Turkey travel update
Istanbul Airport remains open to international traffic, but flights to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan are currently suspended — Jazeera Airways has meanwhile launched Kuwait–Istanbul service via Qaisumah and Antalya is marketing itself as a safe Mediterranean draw with record tourism momentum [](https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/travel-made-easy-jazeera-airways-begins-flights-from-kuwait-to-istanbul-via-qaisumah-airport/) [](https://thetraveler.org/antalya-strengthens-turkiyes-image-as-safe-travel-haven).
Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced cancellations of scheduled services to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan through March 6, 2026. (turkiyetoday.com) Officials later extended suspensions for some carriers, with an updated cutoff of March 9, 2026 for flights operated by Turkish Airlines, AJet, Pegasus and SunExpress. (trtworld.com) Turkish authorities have repeatedly stated that national airspace remains open and that air traffic services at Istanbul Airport are continuing to operate safely amid the regional disruptions. (blog.wego.com) Jazeera Airways began operating the Kuwait–Istanbul service via Qaisumah (AQI) in mid‑March 2026, routing passengers through Hafar Al Batin as an alternative linkage while Gulf flight patterns shift. (timeskuwait.com) Jazeera’s CEO Barathan Pasupathi framed the move as a connectivity measure for Kuwaitis, noting the carrier is coordinating with Saudi and Kuwaiti authorities to manage the multi‑leg operation. (zawya.com) Antalya reported a new annual record of 17,122,548 visitors in 2025, a 1.17% rise year‑on‑year according to Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. (turkiyetoday.com) The region’s summer strength is underscored by peak hotel occupancy — Antalya hit about 84.35% occupancy in June 2025 — and local planners approved a ₺95 million outlook tied into the 2026 budget. (bazaartimes.com)
