Lufthansa Cargo has announced a temporary suspension of cargo acceptance at four major airports in Turkey: Istanbul (IST), Ankara (ESB), Izmir (ADB), and Adana (ADA). This measure, effective until September 30, 2026, is a direct consequence of an unnamed local ground handling service provider in Turkey being affected by recent US sanctions.
For freight forwarders and logistics professionals, this suspension means that Lufthansa Cargo will not be able to transport goods to or from these specific Turkish locations during the stated period. Shippers with existing bookings or planned shipments via Lufthansa Cargo to or from these airports will need to seek alternative air cargo carriers or explore different routing options to ensure their cargo reaches its destination. This could lead to increased transit times and potentially higher costs, depending on the availability and pricing of alternative services. Operations managers should communicate proactively with their clients to manage expectations and adjust supply chain plans accordingly.
