More than 160 were killed in Turkey, as a result of an attempted military coup and protests, which took place on Saturday
Emirates Airline on Saturday announced the cancellation of flights bound for Turkey as UAE nationals were advised to avoid any unnecessary travel to the country due to the current unrest, reports sister publication Arabian Business.
The Dubai airline said in a statement that flights EK123 and EK124 had been grounded.
A spokesperson for the airline said that the carrier will continue to closely monitor the situation in Turkey before a decision is made regarding future flights to Ataturk International Airport and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport.
"As a result of the unsettled situation in Turkey, Emirates flights EK123 and EK124 will be cancelled today, (Saturday). At this time our main priority is the safety and security of passengers and staff. We will continue to closely monitor the situation before a decision is made regarding our later flights," the spokesperson said.
Turkish Airlines resumed flights from Istanbul's international airport later on Saturday while some other foreign carriers cancelled weekend flights.
UAE nationals have been advised to avoid travel to Turkey, with the UAE Embassy in Ankara and its Consulate in Istanbul also urges citizens in the country to stay indoors and avoid public areas due to the current unrest.
Forces loyal to Turkey's government fought on Saturday to crush the last remnants of a military coup attempt which collapsed after crowds answered President Tayyip Erdogan's call to take to the streets and dozens of rebels abandoned their tanks.
More than 160 people were killed, including many civilians, after a faction of the armed forces tried to seize power using tanks and attack helicopters. Some strafed the headquarters of Turkish intelligence and parliament in the capital, Ankara, and others seized a major bridge in Istanbul.
Erdogan accused the coup plotters of trying to kill him and launched a purge of the armed forces, which last used force to stage a successful coup more than 30 years ago.
"They will pay a heavy price for this," said Erdogan, who also saw off mass public protests against his rule three years ago. "This uprising is a gift from God to us because this will be a reason to cleanse our army."
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