Some flights resume at Istanbul airport after deadly bombing
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Istanbul - The first flights were to leave from Istanbul's Ataturk international airport early Wednesday, as partial operations resumed a day after a deadly attack by suspected Islamic State militants.
Several local and international Turkish Airlines flights were scheduled to take off from around 9 am (0600 GMT), according to the airport's website.
Arrivals resumed in the early hours, passengers told dpa, and people were allowed into the departures hall, CNN Turkish reported.
Delays remained widespread after hundreds of flights were cancelled or postponed immediately after the attack. Turkish airlines was offering refunds or alternative tickets.
Three suicide bombers struck the arrivals terminal Tuesday around9:30 pm, leaving 36 people dead and an estimated 147 injured.
Witnesses reported explosions and gunfire.
Islamic State was the primary suspect, said Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, who visited the airport overnight and announced it open to inbound and outbound flights.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the "terrorist attack" on "innocent civilians."
"We urge the world, especially Western countries, to take a firm stance against terrorism," he said Tuesday. The US State Department had issued a warning of "increased threats" in Turkey on Monday.
- DPA
