Learn Turkish: Olumsuz koşullardan dolayı uçak gecikti. - The plane was delayed due to adverse conditions.

It is required by the postposition dolayı (due to). In Turkish, dolayı always pairs with the ablative case (-dan/-den). Together, koşullardan dolayı means "due to the conditions."

Can I use ötürü instead of dolayı here?

Yes, you could say olumsuz koşullardan ötürü. Both postpositions mean "due to" or "because of" and both require the preceding noun to take the ablative case (-dan/-den). Dolayı is just slightly more common in everyday speech.

Is the verb gecikti related to the word geç (late)?

Yes! The verb gecikmek (to be delayed or to run late) is derived from the adjective geç (late). When the verb-forming suffix is added, the harsh ç softens to c.

How does olumsuz translate to "adverse" here?

Olumsuz translates literally to "negative" or "unfavorable." When talking about weather, situations, or conditions (koşullar), English speakers usually say "adverse conditions," making it the most natural translation here.

Why isn't the subject (plane) at the very beginning of the sentence?