On April 17, 2025, Turkish Airlines (THY) was forced to divert two of its long-haul flights departing from Istanbul to Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) in Norway due to medical emergencies. The incidents once again highlighted the importance of operational safety on THY’s transatlantic routes to the United States.
First Diversion: Flight TK1 to New York
Turkish Airlines flight TK1, operating from Istanbul to New York JFK, departed Istanbul Airport (IST) at 11:45 UTC. The flight, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER with registration TC-JJU, was cruising between the Faroe Islands and Norway when the cabin crew reported a serious medical issue involving a passenger.
The pilots selected Oslo as the nearest suitable airport. The aircraft landed safely at Oslo Gardermoen Airport at 16:27 UTC. Medical personnel provided immediate care to the passenger at the airport. After approximately a two-hour delay, the flight resumed and landed in New York with a four-hour delay.
Second Diversion: Flight TK79 to San Francisco
Almost simultaneously, flight TK79 from Istanbul to San Francisco was also diverted to Oslo due to a similar medical emergency. Operated by an Airbus A350-900 with registration TC-LGT, the flight had taken off from Istanbul at 11:43 UTC.
After cruising for over three hours, the crew decided to divert following a medical issue involving a passenger. TK79 landed in Oslo at 16:38 UTC. After two hours on the ground, the aircraft continued its journey and safely arrived in San Francisco.
Similar Incident: Flight TK619 Diverted to Malta
A similar event occurred earlier in 2025. On January 1, Turkish Airlines flight TK619 from Istanbul to Marrakesh, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, made an emergency landing at Malta Luqa International Airport due to the health condition of a Moroccan passenger.
The flight had departed Istanbul at 08:56 UTC and landed in Malta at 11:02 UTC after about two hours in the air. During the stop, an attempted escape on the runway led to a large-scale operation by the Maltese police and Armed Forces. The passenger in critical condition was placed under police supervision at Mater Dei Hospital.
THY’s U.S. Expansion Plans and Operational Safety
Turkish Airlines currently operates direct flights to 14 cities in the United States, with plans to expand this number to 20 by the end of 2025. However, incidents like these underscore the importance of preparedness for emergencies, particularly on long-haul flights.
In both recent diversions, the pilots’ swift decision-making, the cabin crew’s professionalism, and effective coordination with local air traffic control authorities prevented further complications.
