The Federal Aviation Administration lifted yeseterday its restrictions on flights to and from Turkey.
The FAA first issued a "notice to airmen" prohibiting flights to and from Turkey on Friday, following reports of increased violence throughout several Turkish cities.
On Saturday, U.S. airline regulators banned all flights between the U.S. and airports in Ankara and Istanbul. The ban included flights to the U.S. by non-U.S. carriers via third countries.
United Airlines announced a fee waiver program for people traveling to or from affected locations from July 15 through July 22 and encouraged passengers to contact customer service. Other U.S. carriers like Delta, already ceased operations to Turkey as early as last fall following prolonged periods of civil unrest and several terror-related attacks.
Turkish Airlines issued a statement to its passengers this afternoon, saying it will rebook and reroute any Turkish Airlines travel to or from Turkey made between July 15 and July 20, allowing passengers to rebook their flights on dates up until August 15. Refunds for unused tickets, or portions of tickets, that fall in those dates are also being granted.
The U.S. embassy in Ankara issued a statement Saturday warning that U.S. government officials have been told not to use the airport in Istanbul but Turkish Airlines resumed usual operations through Ataturk Airport that afternoon.
Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport, a major gateway for travel from the U.S. to Asia, has been reopened since Saturday morning, and is currently playing catch-up for the more than 200 domestic and international flights that were canceled due to the coup attempt.
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