ISTANBUL
A Turkish Airlines (THY) passenger jet returned to Istanbul on Friday after being unable to land at the Benghazi Airport in Libya due to concerns of security.
The THY jet departed from Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport at 07.30 hours on Friday with 121 passengers on board and travelled to Benghazi.
However, the THY jet could not land at the Benghazi Airport as the airport was shut down due to violent incidents in Benghazi.
While Turkish passengers were sent to their homes, Libyan passengers were taken to local hotels in Istanbul.
The Benghazi Airport will be closed to passenger traffic until 23.00 hours (Libyan local time) on Friday.
As soon as the Benghazi Airport gets reopened to passenger traffic, the THY will resume flights to this city.
