Russian holidaymakers in Turkey have been warned that Antalya Airport could suspend operations as forest fires expand through nearby districts, according to Telegram channel Shot.
The air hub currently remains open and continues to accept and dispatch flights, but dense smoke drifting over the airfield could force temporary flight restrictions, delays, and schedule changes.
Passengers departing from Antalya Airport reported that bright flames and rising smoke were clearly visible from aircraft windows as planes took off over the coastal landscape.
The fire originally broke out on September 7 in the Karaoz area within Aksu municipality, located to the east of Antalya city centre. Driven by strong wind gusts, the flames quickly spread across local forest land and expanded into both the Aksu and Kumluca districts.
Antalya is a major resort city on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, serving as the central hub of the region known as the Turkish Riviera. The area attracts millions of international travelers each year, with Russian vacationers representing one of the largest groups of visitors. Aksu and Kumluca are administrative districts in Antalya Province, characterized by coastal valleys and extensive pine forests along the foothills of the Taurus Mountains. Antalya Airport itself is the main international arrival point for tourists visiting southern Turkey.
Firefighters injured as blazes expand
Emergency services have been deployed to contain the spreading blazes, though officials noted that the total area of affected woodland continues to grow despite ongoing containment efforts. Several forestry workers assisting in the emergency response suffered injuries and received medical treatment.
Due to the proximity of the fires and persistent smoke, several Russian tourists holidaying in Antalya have decided to alter their itineraries and move their vacations to other cities within Turkey.
No hotel evacuations reported
Despite concerns over potential flight disruptions, no organized evacuations of Russian tourists from Turkish hotels have taken place, according to tourism expert Maya Kotlyar, founder of the MAYEL Travel agency.
Kotlyar added that no complaints or requests for help had been received from Russian citizens currently staying in various resort regions across the country. Firefighting teams remain on site as authorities monitor weather conditions and smoke movement near transportation infrastructure.
