Stray dog delays flights at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

A stray dog entered the apron of Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport, causing the delay of several flights on June 27. The planes took off nearly five minutes later than their scheduled time.

The pilot of a Turkish Airlines plane heading to Houston spotted the animal around midday and notified the air traffic control tower about a dog going towards the runway. The air traffic control center officials then closed the runway for nearly five minutes. 

“A dog was reported. I will make the officials check the runways, so there will be 5-6 minutes delay,” the control tower told a pilot waiting to take off.

It was unknown how and from where the dog entered the apron.