Hundreds of flights in and out of Turkey were cancelled for Thursday and Friday at Istanbul's two airports after the city was blanketed by heavy snow.

Turkish Airlines cancelled 265 flights in and out of Ataturk airport and 37 at Sabiha Gokcen, Istanbul's second airport. Pegasus said it had cancelled 34 flights arriving or departing from Sabiha Gokcen.

On Wednesday, city authorities said they had more than 1,000 vehicles and heavy machinery ready to keep roads open, but warned residents against all but essential travel. More snowfall is forecast for much of Thursday.

Source: Reuters