Turkish Airlines Flight Diverts to Alternate Airport Due to Severe Turbulence

Turkish Airlines Flight Diverts Due to Severe Turbulence

On Thursday, September 10, 2026, Turkish Airlines flight TK663 experienced severe turbulence while attempting to land at Tunis-Carthage International Airport. The flight, traveling from Istanbul, had to divert to Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport after multiple unsuccessful landing attempts. Passengers reported a frightening experience as the aircraft encountered violent shaking during its descent.

The Airbus A321, registered as TC-JTN, was on its final approach to Tunis when thunderstorms and strong winds in the area created dangerous conditions. The flight crew made three separate attempts to land the aircraft. However, due to the severe weather and turbulence, they were unable to complete the landing sequence.

Following the repeated go-arounds, the flight crew made the decision to divert to an alternate airport. Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport, located about 60 miles south of Tunis, was chosen as the diversion point. The aircraft landed safely at Enfidha-Hammamet.

Passenger Accounts of the Turbulence

Passengers on board TK663 described the descent as a terrifying experience. One passenger shared that the aircraft began to “plummet” during the third approach attempt. Another passenger noted that the flight had been smooth until the descent began, at which point the situation became “insanely scary.” Videos captured inside the cabin showed passengers reacting with fear as the plane was violently shaken by the turbulence.

Aviation Safety Procedures During Diversions

The diversion of flight TK663 followed standard aviation safety protocols. When weather conditions or other factors make a landing unsafe, pilots are trained to abandon the approach and either attempt another landing or divert to a different airport. In this case, the crew’s decision to divert after three approach attempts demonstrated their commitment to passenger safety.

Resolution and Continued Journey

After landing safely at Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport, the flight crew waited for the weather conditions in the Tunis area to improve. Once the storms had passed and the skies cleared, flight TK663 was able to resume its journey to Tunis-Carthage International Airport. The aircraft eventually reached its scheduled destination without further incident. No serious injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.

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