14.03.2025 16:52
The migration journey of storks has begun in Istanbul's airspace. Moments when pilots and air traffic controllers informed each other to ensure flight safety have been recorded.
With the arrival of spring, the migration journey of storks has begun again. As temperatures rise, storks traveling from Sub-Saharan Africa to Europe continue their migration using Istanbul's airspace. Stork flocks moving north in March and April head south in September and October.
THOSE MOMENTS WERE RECORDED
In order for the planes taking off from Sabiha Gökçen and Istanbul Airport to fly safely, tight communication and coordination are maintained between pilots and air traffic controllers. Air traffic controllers continuously informed pilots about the stork flocks observed in Istanbul Airspace.
Those moments were recorded as follows;
- TOWER: I am informing you, there are currently heavy stork crossings. After making a line to runway 2-4, you will see them on your left. They are not on the landing and takeoff path, they will approach in 1-2 minutes, just so you know.
- TOWER: There is a very dense flock of storks. Can you track them, sir?
- PILOT: Yes, we can track them. They are going to cross, we are waiting.
- PILOT: There is a flock of storks in a park position of 400, it does not significantly affect the approach path. They need to be cleared. I am sharing this for information purposes.
- TOWER: Understood, thank you, sir.
- PILOT: I don't know if there is trash at the beginning of the runway. They are drawing a circle, they are gathered there. So right now you will see their density in the air towards the beginning of the runway in our area.
- TOWER: They are crossing right now, thank you.