Istanbul Ataturk Airport not closed despite reports, officials state

False claims circulated on social media

Ataturk Airport in Istanbul is not closed despite false reports, say offcials (AFP/Getty )

Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport is not shut, officials have confirmed.

'Unfounded' reports circulated on social media claiming the Turkish capital’s airport was closed following a security alert.

Flights are operating as normal.

Hoax claims circulated that tourists were being stopped from entering and exiting the building.

They were retweeted and reposted hundreds of times before being debunked by officials.

The airport's official Twitter account sent a tweet in Turkish which translated to: "News on the internet that people were stopped from entering and exiting Ataturk Airport is unfounded."

Gunmen laden with explosive belts killed 45 people at the airport on June 28.

The triple-suicide bombing by men all thought to be from the former USSR was claimed by Isis.