By Neil Shaw
Passengers bound for Turkey have been affected by cancelled flights due to evacuations in the popular tourist destination. All flight operations were halted at Adnan Menderes Airport, near Izmir, on Sunday.
The airport faced significant disruption over the weekend owing to wildfires. An airport spokesperson stated: “Due to the forest fire in I虈zmir’s Gaziemir district and adverse weather conditions, including strong winds, I虈zmir Adnan Menderes Airport was temporarily closed to air traffic as of 16:00 local time.”
The statement continued: “Some incoming flights were diverted to alternate airports during the closure.”
They added: “Following the NOTAM [meaning notice to airmen], the runway has reopened and the first flight, PC 1864 to Ercan, has successfully departed at 21:50 local time. Flight operations are gradually returning to normal.”
Delays piled up with some flights leaving late on Sunday night; one particular flight to London that was meant to take off on Sunday evening is now set for departure on Monday night, reports Glasgow Live.
Both international and national flights have faced disruptions. Among those delayed were passengers set to fly to London Stansted, Dublin, and Brussels. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
These events follow severe wildfires in parts of Greece last week. With temperatures soaring above 40C in parts of southern Europe, countries such as Italy, Spain, and Greece have issued fresh warnings about wildfire risks.
Before the weekend, intense heat was experienced in Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal, with both locals and tourists seeking refuge from the blistering conditions. On Sunday, two-thirds of Portugal was on high alert due to extreme heat and wildfires, with temperatures in Lisbon predicted to exceed 42C.
In Italy, several regions including Lazio, Tuscany, Calabria, Puglia and Umbria, were considering prohibiting certain outdoor work activities during the day’s peak temperatures in response to the record-breaking heat. Italian trade unions urged the government to implement such measures nationwide.
On Sunday, the Italian health ministry issued its highest heat alert for 21 out of the 27 cities it monitors, encompassing popular holiday destinations such as Rome, Milan and Naples. In Rome, tourists sought shade near renowned attractions like the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, utilising umbrellas and drinking from public water fountains to keep cool.
Similar situations were observed in Milan and Naples, where street vendors offered lemonade to tourists and residents as a respite from the heat. Due to the extreme weather, Greece was once again on high alert for wildfires, with the first summer heatwave expected to persist over the weekend.
A significant wildfire erupted south of Athens on Thursday, leading to evacuations and road closures near the ancient Temple of Poseidon. The flames were spread by strong winds, causing damage to homes and sending smoke billowing across the sky.
Experts have cautioned that the intense heat can impact daily life, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.
Local authorities have advised against physical activity during the peak heat of the day, and recommended staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone