A Turkish Airlines Airbus A321 traveling from St. Petersburg to Antalya was tracked as landing in Budapest, according to flight data sources. The sequence of events is noted by the service providing the tracking information and FlightRadar24 style data feeds.
The flight initially departed Pulkovo Airport with a delay at 15:04 local time. The planned arrival in Antalya was scheduled for 19:00 in Moscow time, but the actual timeline unfolded differently as the aircraft spent time en route and in hold patterns. This shift created a narrative of extended operations beyond the originally published schedule, reflecting the realities of air traffic management and weather or routing considerations that can affect international legs of midair connections.
During the journey, the aircraft made a series of circular patterns over Kaunas in Lithuania before turning back toward a major European center and continuing toward Budapest. The routing then briefly included a leg over parts of Slovakia, illustrating how international flight plans can be adjusted in flight to accommodate airspace constraints, weather, or traffic flows. These holding patterns and diversions are common during busy travel windows and are often implemented to optimize safety and efficiency for all operating parties on the flight path.
The aircraft eventually initiated a second takeoff from Budapest at 17:48, heading onward to Turkey, and subsequently touched down in Antalya at 21:54. While the public record of this sequence remains limited, the available data confirms the midflight adjustments and eventual arrival at the destination, independent of the original timetable.
Separately, market observations from the period indicate a notable tourist flow from Russia to Turkey during the winter months. January traffic figures show a substantial number of visitors, with Russia among the leading source markets for inbound tourism in the country. Other prominent contributing countries include Bulgaria and Germany, reflecting a diverse mix of travelers seeking cultural experiences, coastal resorts, and winter sun destinations in Turkey. These patterns are often used by industry analysts to understand seasonal demand, travel planning, and the broader dynamics of international travel from Russia and neighboring regions.