Turkish people in Atlanta had been celebrating the start of direct flights from Atlanta to Istanbul in May, but then came the terror attacks Tuesday at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport.
The joy of a new air travel connection has turned to sorrow over the terror attacks that killed at least 41 people and injured 239 others, said Mona Sunshine, Turkish Honorary Consul General for Georgia.
“We were so excited that we finally got a direct flight,” Sunshine said Wednesday. “People were coming to Atlanta to go to Turkey. Atlanta became the gateway.”
Turkish Airlines launched flights from Atlanta to Istanbul on May 16.
Three attackers armed with firearms opened fire Tuesday before blowing themselves up, according to Turkish authorities.
The reaction of Turkish people in Atlanta?
“Absolute terror, horror and disbelief,” Sunshine said.