Southwind Airlines experienced cancellations and delays on the Minsk to Istanbul route at Minsk National Airport, according to information board data reported by RIA News. The news notes disruptions on both directions of the Minsk-Istanbul service, reflecting real-time scheduling changes visible on the airport’s official arrivals and departures board.
Airport records show that the night flight from Minsk to Istanbul and the return flight from Istanbul to Minsk were canceled. In addition, the March 30 Istanbul-bound service was delayed by roughly four hours, while check-in procedures continued at the airport as officials worked to accommodate travelers and update boarding information.
There are broader implications tied to airspace decisions involving Turkish carriers. European Union authorities closed the airspace associated with Southwind, a move that has been linked by some observers to Russian travel restrictions. This development coincided with the postponement of a Cairo Airlines flight carrying Russian tourists to Sharm el-Sheikh, as authorities evaluated routes and safety considerations. An industry source noted that the carrier involved may be connected to Southwind, suggesting a possible network association. Source: RIA News
In another incident, a separate Southwind aircraft experienced a loss of cabin pressure during a flight en route to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, prompting an unscheduled landing and routine safety checks upon arrival. The airline and airport authorities are cooperating to ensure passenger safety and maintain transparency about any further service adjustments. Passengers are advised to monitor official flight status updates and follow airport guidance for rebooking options and ground transportation alternatives as needed.