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İstanbul airport shuts down due to heavy snow

In this file photo, Turkish Airlines planes are stuck on the tarmac during snowfall on January 9, 2017 at Atatürk international airport in Istanbul. AFP

İstanbul Airport, which was Europe’s busiest last year, suspended all flights on Monday because of a heavy snowstorm blanketing Turkey’s biggest city, Agence France-Presse reported.

The airport opened in 2019, replacing the old Atatürk Airport as the new hub for Turkish Airlines.

It provides an important connection route for destination across Africa and the Middle East, as well as Europe and Asia.

“Due to adverse conditions, all flights have been temporarily stopped for air safety,” the airport said in a statement.

Officials said flights would be suspended until at least 6:00 pm (1500 GMT).

Turkish media said it marked the first time the airport had completely shut down due to adverse weather since it opened.

Located on the Black Sea coast about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of central İstanbul, the air hub serviced more than 37 million passengers last year, according to the transportation ministry.

İstanbul was hit by its first snow storm of the winter over the weekend.

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