Cyprus Turkish Airways - cancellation of flight

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
03/07/2009 13:43

Have been informed today's flight from Stanstead to Istanbul has been cancelled.

More concerned next Friday's flight 10th will suffer same fate.

Sandie will be on that,to meet me in Istanbul.

Any ideas,please,and where I can find up to date CTA info.

Mike

Vidal


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 867

Message Posted:
03/07/2009 14:00

You will be lucky Mike! Help...information..I think not!! lol



I originally booked our UK ward flight last week for Friday at 21.30. Two days before we left the UK we received a call telling us our flight had been changed to 03.15 Ok I thought...we miss our last day but never mind we'll be back soon.

We arrived at the airport at 2 in the morning to find no check- in desk open.....



Well to cut a long story, we ended up on the original 21.30 flight, having been messed around for the whole

20 +hrs.

No info from the staff or on line. Nothing to eat or drink till 18.30 in the eve.



Is there something about Friday flights??

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
03/07/2009 14:03

Thanks,Anne.me thinks travel agent this afternoon.

Mike

Vidal


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 867

Message Posted:
03/07/2009 14:12

The funny bit of it was, they told us that there was something wrong with one of the windows and they had to go to Istanbul for spares and then do a test run.......... I know us ingilizce are stoopid, but really!!





Nothing to do with shuffling passengers along to 'loose' few flights?? Nothing to do with saving money then.



Welcome to North Cyprus!!



Love it!

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
03/07/2009 14:26

Hi Vidal,



This thing about one of the windows being faulty is one of their favourite tricks which they try on a regular basis. We flew to Ercan last year, got as far as Istanbul and were told we had to leave the plane as one of the windows was faulty. We were in Istanabul for hours without food or information. It is a disgrace, we will not be flying with them again. It is Pegasus from now on.



The butlers wife

semtcm


Joined: 13/01/2009
Posts: 249

Message Posted:
03/07/2009 14:31

surely better be delayed - and arrive - rather than not arrive at all?!

tried calling cta to find out info but to no avail!!!!

Vidal


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 867

Message Posted:
03/07/2009 14:36

Thats even more hilarious now, knowing they use the same excuse!!



It was ok for us..we had our own place to go back to for a few hours. Some folk had the finances to book alternative flights with other airlines, but there were some people there who literally had no option but to sit it out at the airport.



This and the rudeness of the airport and airline staff will ensure they leave with a rotten impression of a lovely place.



Shame.

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
03/07/2009 22:10

Fly by English airlines,at least you can get some sense out of them when things go pear shaped.The one thing an a/c cannot fly with is a dodgy window seal.Would not like to be sitting in the seat next to the faulty one when it Bleeeeeeeewwwwwwwww argh...

karakum5c



Joined: 18/03/2008
Posts: 1021

Message Posted:
03/07/2009 22:30

Coachie--- you took the words right out of my mouth............thats me singing again.



Question do you have a didgereedoo because if you dont mind me saying your the double for that Aussie !

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
03/07/2009 23:34

When a dentist and a primary school teacher (both related to Mr Talat) are put in charge of an airline (The National flag carrier) what do you expect? Nepotism runs rife here!



Richard

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
04/07/2009 00:03

Hi mikelapta,



You're not the 1st with problems :-(



http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/18043.asp



Navek

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
04/07/2009 00:32

Message 8 ... Fly by English airlines

How many English fly to Ercan .. Support TRNC

snowman



Joined: 23/06/2009
Posts: 13

Message Posted:
05/07/2009 19:06

hi we were booked on friday 26th june flight 10.15 onlyto be mesed about for 15 hours

eventually the flight took off an 1.30 am saturday



return from ercan flight 8.30 am was\cancelled but we only got the info when we arrived at the airport

we had to get connecting flights to Glasgow so we had to transfer to Turkish Airlines at a cost of £1000.00

for 3 of us

cta staff terrible no help what so ever.

andy46


Joined: 12/09/2008
Posts: 38

Message Posted:
05/07/2009 19:28

We were so fed up with a recent CTA flight I sent a letter to Cyprus Today and I believe it was published this week.



I do not suppose it will do any good as CTA seem impervious to complaints. It made me feel better anyway.



I also wrote to CTA but they did not even have the courtesy to acknowledge my complaint. They do not have the slighest interest in customer relations!



Andy's wife

snowman



Joined: 23/06/2009
Posts: 13

Message Posted:
06/07/2009 17:36

did anyone else was booked on the 8.30 flifght that was cancelled

and were you informed by CTA

snowman

Sandie


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 251

Message Posted:
06/07/2009 18:02

So hope they do not cancel 2 Friday flights to Istanbul in a row. Think I ought to get to the airport in plenty of time as there is a Pegasus flight goes out an hour before the CTA one, perhaps they could find room for an extra passenger but not sure how easy it is to get on another flight at the last minute . Anybody ever done that?

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
06/07/2009 18:27

Sandie - it will depend on the airline having space for you - but you should try to have far more than 90 minutes in hand for last minute / standby seats.



You might not get any refund for the flights you are already booked on so be careful and check. Your travel insurance company would probably not cover you either. So if you make a change do so aware that it will be probably all at extra and high costs to you.



Tom

info@flightholiday.co.uk

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
06/07/2009 18:28

It is very easy Sandie , we did it a few years ago , booked flights about 2mnths in advance got e-ticket , got to airport only to find we were not on their computers . Cut a long story short went to ticket sales at Airport and purchased the tickets , easy as that , no problems

Good luck , Simbas

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 00:22

I learnt today that a CTA flight delayed for more than 8 hours, a voucher is issued for a 20% discount on ones next booking with them.



Richard

Vidal


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 867

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 00:49

Can you tell me if these would be issued at the time of the delay, or, where can we apply for a voucher??

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 00:59

Should be issued at point of delayed departure however, keep records and present yourself at CTA Office and 'demand' otherwise you'll be fobbed off. I was only told today by my Travel Agent, Janny in Girne. If you want more information about her contact Nos. come back to me.



Richard

Vidal


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 867

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 01:21

Thanks for this. We have had a thought though..when we were waiting for the plane to appear, they were posting it on the screens as if it had arrived, was boarding and had departed, do you reckon this is so when any complaints are made, to the CTA person checking it looks as if all was well??

Sandie


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 251

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 08:03

Thanks Simbas - hope it does not come to that, but worth a try to transfer to Pegasus if CTA is cancelled. Only going for a long weekend so want it all to be fine, so everything crossed. Sandie

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 09:15

Sandie,what's this "only going for a weekend"!!!!

Smithy is expecting you to buy a wedding dress.

Keep"everything crossed"...we might have time!!

Mike

xx

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 13:05

Msg 19



This was news to me so I have checked with CTA in London and like any of these things it is complex.



The gentelman who can give me a fairly definitive answer was not to hand so it might take a few hours to know what is correct in regard to the 20% and the proceadure to follow to claim if needed.



Tom

IAH Ltd

0871 855 2925

Sandie


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 251

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 13:37

Mike - Forgive me- meant our time was limited to just a few "precious" days!! Cannot buy "the" dress as it is bad luck for you to see it before the day!!! xxx

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 13:48

Tom,flight holiday...not bothered about compensation.Just want to guarantee

that Sandie andI have our weekend in Istanbul.

ie CTA WILL have their scheduled flight on Friday from Stanstead,no jiffy windows,etc.

As it is a fairly new service,will the aircraft fly if seating capacity is not reached?

Sandie,should have time for our romantic lunch in Eminonu...Ekmek/Balik...tamam.

Mike

xx

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 13:52

Good luck Sandie i will keep my fingers crossed for you

Simbas

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 13:57

If CTA are purportedly in such dire financial straits does it warrant a huge office bottom of the Haymarket, London W1. Prime rental territory!



Richard

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 13:57

Mike, I hope you have no problems but cannot make a promise (I would not anyway) but then this is our well liked CTA is it not?



By the way there has been an Ercan Istanbul service for at least 6 to 8 years to my knowledge. I suspect quite a while longer.



Good trip can we assist in futrure?



Tom

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 14:01

Tom, flight for both of us to Sabiha Goken Airport.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 14:11

Mike are you on Skype? If so contact me on flightholiday or give me your hpone number to call and I will try to assist you - I do not like transacting business on BB's as they are for information, your security could be compromised as yyou are telling the world what you are doing (so your home could be burgled etc) and anyway they are not my medium.

smithy


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 5301

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 14:11

Mike/Sandie

Please let Liz and I know so we have plenty of time to get our Maids of honour dresses,

Have a great weekend together hope all goes well with the flights, let us know how it all went (well Not everything) just the place ) ) )

Take care

Sheila

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 14:23

Tom,will skype you before next break.Sandie coming to TRNC Aug then Sept,and for Xmas.

But big gap Oct/Nov.....I'm sure we'd love a 3 or4 night break back to Istanbulstaying Sultahmet area.

Mike.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 15:11

Mike, Not a problem with our people nor for the flights be they Pegasus, Turkish or KTHY.



How will the wedding dress arrive (when it does) - If your new "her indoors" wants some real service and help with her wedding dress then you should get her to try Teresa who runs the wedding shop on the Alsancac / Lapta road (she can also rent you your smart garb for the occasion) 0533 866 1966 - She will look after you both very well and then Sandie will not have to transport a dress which can be a pain.

mikelapta



Joined: 20/11/2008
Posts: 2186

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 15:21

Bloody hell,Tom,you are getting as bad as Smithy!!!

Sandie will hopefully be living here by end of year,I know where the dress shop is.

Will show Sandie.

Thanks

Mike

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 15:31

I am pleased you are hopeful then.



T

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
07/07/2009 15:40

Msg 19 & 25



I could not get the person I needed for the "management " answer but his administrative PA (who is quite senior) said that this 20% rumour of discount is only a rumour and is not a fact.



And she went onto say that "if a client suffers due to technical or weather problems they should claim on their travel insurance" (which is what IAH always advocate you take)



You might be offered a meal voucher after some 4 hours.

TinLondon


Joined: 20/07/2009
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
20/07/2009 20:24

I have recently flown with this airline and i'm afraid I too have nothing good to say about them.. The food was lousy, the so called cabin crew were just plain rude and spoke as much english as my dog, and as for the ground staff well.... shambolic would be an understatement.



However, speaking to a staff memeber, it seems like that the days of this airline are numbered as they have huge debts and staff sometimes get paid and sometimes don't, hence the long faces!



I won't be booking a flight with CTA in a hurry, i suggest you all do the same befor you become stranded at your destination.

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
20/07/2009 21:03

TinLondon,

How much Turkish do you speak? Could we also say as much as your dog? This is a TRNC airline. Its first language is Turkish, all be it with a Cypriot slant. Learn a few phrases, you ingraciate yourself more. I've never heard the announcements on board a BA or Virgin Atlantic flight to be in anything but English. At least the Captain does speak to you in English.

What service do you people want for yout £200 to £300 return tickets? Mile for mile it's a damn sight cheaper than most airlines. £130 per person I recently paid for aweekend in Amsterdam. I was barely on the plane an hour and 20 minutes. The food was a sandwich which was being dished out the second the seat belt sign went off.

We are all just a 6 digit PNR Code to the airlines. None really give a damn. So it's really unfair to single anyone that pleases everyone all the time. Even Singapore Airlines, with its new A380's, has its knockers, and its not just Economy class either who complain. Some seats are to small

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
20/07/2009 21:35

Tim



With due respect, one travels to Amsterdam by Euro Star changing at Brussels, cheaper and quicker. All international flight personnel are required to speak a modicum of English.



flightholiday, speak to one of your competitors, Janny of Goktur Travel and she'll tell you otherwise.



Richard

TinLondon


Joined: 20/07/2009
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
20/07/2009 21:55

Dear Timothy Cadman,



My Turkish is actually pretty good as my mother tongue is Turkish, I was referring to the likes of you and other non-Turkish speaking tourist. If TRNC is looking to be as welcoming as possible, then I think it would be a good idea for the frontline staff to be able to speak and understand the universal language for airlines and pilots - even if it's just for safety purposes!



I have just come home from Istanbul with BA, and I can assure you all safety announcements were made in both English and Turkish (the Turkish version was actually more clearly spoken than the English version). As for Virgin Atlantic, most of their destinations are English speaking (i.e USA, Canada, Australia etc...), and I know that they do translate to Japanese and Chinese too... Virgin Atlantic isn't a good comparison, KTHY has a very long way to go to reach Virgin Atlantic standards! As for the fare, I think £300 is excessive for what you get compared to any other national carrier.

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
20/07/2009 22:05

In the airline industry the official language is English, This includes ATC, Piolts, etc. Thus to save any confussion with communications. The only airline that breaches this rule is Airfrance, But only with there own aircraft and in French air space. But it has caused numerous "incidents" in the past with other airlines/pilots not understanding the communications between ATC/Airfrance.



So it is said you need to understand at least "basic" English to become a FAA commercial pilot.







Tootie

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
20/07/2009 23:29

Brinsley,

"Cheaper and quicker". Well I'll give you the cheaper bit by £20, but only from London. From Manchester, my home town, I need to add £50 each for tickets to London. So it's not cheaper. Quicker....no. 6 hours and 15 mins from London to Amsterdam Centra (2 hours 6 mins to Brussels, 49 mins stop over, 3 hours 20 mins to Amsterdam) .Then there's the 2 hours 20 mins to add to get to London. So total 8 hours 35 mins. By the way, as you've probably guessed, I looked into that option too.

For our trip it took us, from our door to Amsterdam Central station, 3 hours 30 mins. Less than half the time.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
20/07/2009 23:37

Tim



Well, what can I say, the delights of living in Manchester! 3hrs 20 mins from Brussels to Amsterdam, was it the milk train? Schiphol to the centre how long?!



Richard

sweep


Joined: 11/10/2007
Posts: 241

Message Posted:
20/07/2009 23:49

timothy cadman



i have flew with several airlines over the years and never have i recieved such a disgracefull attitude from the cabin staff as i did with cta.



i wouldnt fly with them if it was free i would hate to see how they behave in an emergency !!!



as for complaining to them what is the point they couldnt give a dam as other people have allready exprerssed on this thread.



airlines thrive on repeat custom so it wont be any wonder if they go bust if they treat everyone as they did to us!!

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
20/07/2009 23:58

Tinlondon, well said.



The international aviation language is english, as it is for shipping. This is mainly for safety.

As for learning a few phrases in the carriers language, well has anyone here tried to learn a few phrases in Portuguese, murder!



As has been said before ,tourists are just here for a good time and have no interest in our,' I love the TRNC', credentials .

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
21/07/2009 00:26

Brinsley,

Schiphol to Amsterdam Central was 15 minutes. Train every 15 minutes, with an Intercity train every 30 minutes.

The trip round trip from Brussels to Amsterdam was with Thayles Trains. Couldn't find any detailed timetables so unaware of how many stops it makes. They do claim faster trains of 2 hours 30 mins, but buggered if I can find a Eurostar to link with it!



Sweep,

Unlike many I really don't give a damn about what the aircrew do while the plane is in normal flight. I've got a seat, I've got my MP3 player, books and magazines and I don't need any further interaction with anybody until an emergency occurs.

I agree with you about complaining, it is just a waste of time. You're never listened to, nothing is ever done and so now I don't even bother putting any effort into doing it. I'm just thankful that they got me there and back in one piece. The day they don't is the day they will hear from my solicitor.

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
21/07/2009 00:27

Just been talking to a CTA Captain on Skype he speaks good English. My Husband speaks to him in Turkish he answers in English.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
21/07/2009 00:43

The pilots are not the problem, it's the dentist and the primary school teacher that run CTA. I thought of going into brain surgery in my retirement, no qualifications required!



Richard

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
21/07/2009 01:24

Richard - just noticed you note about asking a competitor Msg 41 - I don't do things backward I go to senior people in London and get my answers there. I imagine when you were a Paris Guide you would not have asked another guide about Parisian history but gone to a historian who was qualified and an expert on Paris - if not how could you have known the veracity of your information. - Trust me I check my information even when I say it might be hearsay.



Msg 50 Who are you talking about politicians in the tourism ministry or senior managment at CTA as different as Australians and Kiwis - please dont mix them up.

Some of the managers at CTA are very good some are not so that is the case in all companies but at KTHY they are often fighting with political appointees which then shows up all down the line. etc.



The staff in most ministries suffer the same due to the lack of expertise of their political masters past and present.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
21/07/2009 01:43

Msg 51



Some, with property concerns extracted promises from Talat and the former PM but that went nowhere so what's so special about CTA promises! I lived in Paris for ten years before becoming a guide so all my knowledge came from reading and interacting with Parisians! And passed my exams!



Richard