Turkish airplanes alter route to avoid Syrian air space

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

Hürriyet photo

The route of Turkish civilian airplanes carrying pilgrims to Jeddah was modified in order not to pass through Syrian air space today.

The decision came after a Syrian passenger plane was forced to land in Ankara yesterday by Turkish authorities on suspicions that it was carrying military equipment destined for Syria. The cause of the decision was linked to the current instability in Syria.

Turkish airplanes are now set to fly over the southern coast city of Mersin in a route that will see it pass over Turkish Cyprus and Jordan on the way to Jeddah.