Esenboga International Airport in Ankara, Turkey. Photo: thomas koch / Shutterstock.com Travelers heading to or through Turkey's capital this week are being advised to prepare for significant disruptions as Ankara hosts the NATO Summit on July 7 and 8, 2026.
The high-profile international gathering will bring enhanced security measures, temporary road closures and changes to public transport services around key venues across the city.
One of the biggest impacts will be at Ankara Esenboğa Airport, where all commercial air traffic will be temporarily suspended during summit operations.
According to the travel advisory, commercial flights to and from the airport will not operate between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. local time on July 7. On July 8, flights will again be suspended from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. local time.
Passengers traveling outside those hours should also expect longer waiting times, as airports across the region will operate under enhanced security procedures throughout the summit.
Authorities are urging travelers to arrive at the airport well in advance of their scheduled departure, have all travel documents readily available and be prepared for stricter security screening.
Road closures around major summit venues are expected to cause delays across Ankara, while several public transport routes will be diverted or temporarily suspended.
Travelers are encouraged to allow extra time for journeys to and from the airport and monitor updates from their airline before departing.
The NATO Summit is expected to bring together leaders and senior officials from member countries, prompting one of the largest security operations in the Turkish capital this year.
Passengers with flights scheduled during the suspension periods should contact their airline to confirm their booking status and explore rebooking options if necessary.