Air Anka Flight Cancellations Leave 2,100 Russian Tourists Stranded in Turkey

Turkey's Air Anka has canceled a series of flights to Russia, affecting roughly 2,100 Russian tourists, according to Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia). The carrier scrapped routes from Antalya to Ekaterinburg, Sochi, Mineralnye Vody, and Ufa, leaving travelers in limbo. Rosaviatsia clarified that it had granted Air Anka additional temporary permits for charter flights through May 25, but new flight requests are no longer being approved, in coordination with Turkish aviation authorities. The decision to issue those permits was made to protect tourists, even though the summer flight schedule between the two countries had already been finalized. Despite lacking authorization for flights after May 25, Air Anka had sold seats to tour operator Anex Tour through the end of October. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) reports that all affected tourists are being housed and fed by tour operators while they wait for replacement flights. Some travelers will be moved to substitute hotels, while others will have their stays extended at their current resorts. Tour operators are offering alternative itineraries with different carriers and departure dates. Authorities say the situation is being managed to minimize disruption for holidaymakers caught in the cancellation chaos.