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The Ankara Esenboga Airport will face temporary air traffic restrictions during the NATO summit on July 7-8, Türkiye's Transport and Infrastructure Ministry said Friday.
The measures are part of heightened security arrangements being introduced in the capital's airspace ahead of the summit.
"In line with the NOTAM issued as part of the NATO Summit, temporary restrictions will be applied to air traffic at Ankara Esenboga Airport on certain dates and at certain times," the ministry said on social media.
The restrictions will be in effect from 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m local time on July 7 (07:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m. GMT) and from 02:00 p.m. to 09:00 p.m. local time (11:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m. GMT) on July 8.
Civilian and military aircraft carrying foreign heads of state and their accompanying official delegations will be exempt.
"For flights that will use the Esenboga Airport under the exemption, it is mandatory to enter the phrase 'STS/ATFMX' in Field 18 of the flight plan," the ministry said.
Passengers were advised to check the latest information about their flights with the relevant airline operators to avoid disruptions.
The General Directorate of State Airports Authority, or DHMI, issued a similar statement, saying the restrictions had been introduced under a notice to airmen issued for the summit.
AJet also announced measures for passengers affected by the restrictions.
The airline said passengers with tickets issued on or before June 29, 2026, for flights arriving in or departing from Ankara between July 6 and July 9 could change their reservations free of charge, regardless of fare rules, if the transaction is completed by July 16.
Completely unused tickets will be eligible for free refunds, while passengers with partially used tickets may receive refunds for unused segments.
AJet said ticket validity could also be extended until Dec. 31, 2026, without a fare difference or penalty.
Ankara Esenboga Airport and a new airfield in Etimesgut, which opened ahead of the summit, will be used during the event.
Fifty-eight heads of state are expected to attend.
Aircraft landing at Etimesgut are expected to be transferred to Esenboga, where one runway is expected to be used for parking. No aircraft other than those carrying heads of state will be kept in the designated area.
The Turkish Air Force is expected to monitor the airspace over the region around the clock, with early-warning aircraft and other defense systems activated.
Türkiye will host the leaders of 32 NATO member countries, invited heads of state, nearly 100 ministers, senior diplomats, representatives of international organizations and thousands of foreign guests during the 36th NATO summit in Ankara.
A total of 56,288 security personnel, including 48,841 police officers and 7,447 gendarmerie personnel, will be deployed during the summit, according to Anadolu.
Nearly 3,000 journalists, television crews, photojournalists, digital media representatives and international broadcasters have applied for accreditation.
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