Turkey to face more economic woes

ISTANBUL — A failed coup attempt in Turkey and a series of bombings that hit the country this year have weighed on international travel to the country.

The number of foreign visitors to Turkey fell by 28 per cent in April, data showed on Friday, the biggest drop in 17 years. Also, after the coup attempt, the value of the Turkish lira dropped to a near 6-month low against the US dollar.

The decline signals more pain for Turkey's economy, which is smarting from slowing exports and weak investment. Some economists have forecast that tourism revenue will drop by a quarter this year, costing around $8 billion.

The closure of Istanbul's Ataturk Airport late on Friday had caused the diversion of 35 airplanes while 32 other flights were cancelled, Turkish Airlines Chairman Ilker Ayci told broadcaster CNN Turk.

Turkish Airlines resumed flights from Istanbul's international airport on Saturday in the wake of the failed coup attempt, while some foreign carriers cancelled weekend flights.

Forces loyal to Turkey's government fought on Saturday to crush the last remnants of the military coup attempt. Television images late Friday had shown tanks parked in front of the airport.

A spokesman for Turkish Airlines said flights had now returned to their normal schedule from Europe's third largest hub, though delays were to be expected.

Turkish budget carrier Pegasus said its flights were also experiencing minor delays.

Tour operator Thomas Cook said most German guests who had booked a holiday to Antalya or Bodrum had taken their flights on Saturday. It said flights from the UK were operating as normal but, given the circumstances, free cancellations or amendments were possible for customers due to fly to Turkey this weekend.

Several other countries also suspended their passenger flights to the country over the weekend.