Thick Fog Disrupts Transportation Across Istanbul
🌫 Thick Fog Disrupts Transportation Across Istanbul
A dense blanket of fog swept over Istanbul on March 4, causing major disruptions to air, sea, and road transportation in one of the world's busiest cities.
✈️ Airport Chaos
At Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side, visibility dropped so severely that landings were impossible for several hours. Dozens of aircraft circled over the Marmara Sea, while 24 flights were diverted—13 to Istanbul Airport on the European side and 11 to other airports in Turkey. Although landings eventually resumed, many departures remained delayed.
🚢 Maritime Disruptions
Maritime transport also faced interruptions. The city's main ferry operator reported cancellations and delays across key routes, while visibility along the Bosphorus covered major bridges like the 15 July Martyrs Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in thick mist.
🚗 Road Safety Alert
Motorists across multiple districts were urged to drive with extreme caution as the fog paralyzed the city's morning commute.
📊 Disruption Summary:
- ✈️ 24 flights diverted from Sabiha Gökçen
- 🚢 Ferry cancellations across key routes
- 🌉 Major bridges shrouded in mist
- 🚗 Morning commute paralyzed
Flight Diversion Details
- 🔄 Total diverted flights: 24
- 📍 To Istanbul Airport (European side): 13 flights
- 📍 To other Turkish airports: 11 flights
Affected Areas
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (Asian side)
- Bosphorus Strait
- 15 July Martyrs Bridge
- Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
- Multiple districts across the city
⚠️ Safety Warning: Motorists urged to drive with extreme caution as fog continues to affect visibility across Istanbul.
Istanbul's transportation network faced a challenging day, highlighting how quickly weather can disrupt even the busiest urban hubs.
March 4, 2026 | Istanbul Weather Disruption
