Turkish Airlines A321neo diverts to Sabiha Gökçen after low-fuel emergency

A Turkish Airlines flight from France declared an emergency on Wednesday and diverted to Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport after wind gusts at Istanbul Airport blocked its landing, according to an account of the event. The crew of flight TK1808 reported fuel reserves had fallen to critical levels.

The aircraft, an Airbus A321neo registered as TC-LPA, left Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport at about 11:00 local time bound for Istanbul Airport. Nearing its destination around 1:00 PM, it was held at 28,000 feet because of poor weather and congestion around the airport. Controllers then cleared it down to 12,000 feet, where it circled for roughly another 30 minutes.

The flight was eventually positioned for an approach to Runway 35, but gusts reported at up to 46 knots ruled out a safe touchdown and the crew went around. A second approach was also abandoned because of continued strong crosswinds.

Fuel was depleted by the extended holding and the two missed approaches, and the crew squawked 7700 to signal a low-fuel emergency. Given priority by controllers, the flight turned south across the Bosporus toward Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. The A321neo touched down there on Runway 08R a few minutes after the emergency was declared. No further incident was reported.