Istanbul airport reopens after deadly terrorist attack in Turkey

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has issued a statement condemning yesterday’s (June 28) attack on Istanbul Ataturk Airport that killed more than 40 people and injured more than 200.

“Again we find ourselves having to express condolences to victims of a horrendous act of terrorism. The Council stands behind the Turkish government in managing this devastating incident,” David Scowsill, President and CEO of the WWTC, stated in a release.

According to BBC News, three attackers arrived in a taxi and began firing at the airport’s terminal entrance late on Tuesday. When police fired back, they detonated themselves, reports say.

Images depicting bodies covered in sheets surrounded by broken glass and stray luggage at the terminal began circulating the internet last night. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack should serve as a turning point in the global fight against militant groups.

"The bombs that exploded in Istanbul today could have gone off at any airport in any city around the world," he told BBC News.

Istanbul's governor has so far confirmed that 41 people died and 239 were injured in the attack. At least 13 of those killed were of foreign or dual nationality. So far one Iranian and one Ukrainian have been confirmed dead, BBC News reports.

There have been no immediate claims of responsibility; however, Turkish officials have suggested the attack is linked to ISIS, CNN reports.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told CNN that authorities are still investigating.

"The terrorists came to the airport in a taxi and then carried out their attacks," Yildirim said. "The fact that they were carrying guns added to the toll. Preliminary findings suggest all three attackers first opened fire then detonated themselves."

Unverified security camera footage shows the moment when Istanbul Ataturk Airport was bombed. Source: CCTV

Meanwhile, flights at Istanbul Ataturk Airport have resumed, albeit under heightened security.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey issued a statement today, adding that "all the necessary security measures have been taken by the state’s security forces" and that today the airport is open to air traffic and all services are continuing.

Tony Tyler, director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), called the safety and security of passengers "our top priorities."

"This tragedy in Istanbul and the one in Brussels earlier this year show that there is a growing challenge for governments to keep people safe in the 'landside' parts of the airport. Moving people 'airside' more quickly can help to mitigate risk. The industry has a number of initiatives in place to achieve that aim and we are working with governments and airports to implement them," Tyler said in a statement.

The WTTC said the attack is a “further blow to Turkey’s tourism sector,” which in 2015 contributed 13 per cent of GDP and generated 2 million jobs.

“The international community, both private and public sectors, must come together in support of Turkey to ensure that as a destination it can rebound and thrive in the future,” the WTTC said in a statement.

Turkey has been handling its tourism sector in stride after dealing with the aftermath of a series of unrelated terrorist bombings in Ankara, Diyarbakir and Istanbul earlier this year.

The incidents hit the cruise industry hard in particular, with Crystal, Disney, MSC Cruises and other major cruise lines either suspending, cancelling or avoiding Turkey’s ports for 2016.

Derya S. Acar, attaché of Turkish Culture and Tourism Affairs, addresses travel trade in Toronto last February

Last February, Turkey’s Canadian tourism office hosted a series of workshops in Toronto and Montreal to speak with travel agents about the country’s latest offerings, and to also address the attacks head-on.

“Terrorist attacks are everywhere. It’s a global issue,” Derya S. Acar, attaché of Turkish Culture and Tourism Affairs, told PAX at Toronto's Woodbine Banquet Hall on Feb. 24.

“There’s only one sector to encourage people about peace. People of differing cultures meet thanks to tourism,” said Acar, noting that approximately 200,000 Canadians visited Turkey in 2015.

The Toronto event came fresh off the heels of Turkey opening its first culture and tourism office in Toronto in August last year.