Strike at Ercan by CTA

PeeCee


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 133

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 08:14

Just returned from Ercan and there is a 24 hour strike by Cyprus Turkish Airline. Other airlines seem to be

operating and normal but anyone booked out today aon CTA needs to check first. It's chaos ther at the moment.

I've brought my guest who was due to leave on the Manchester flight today back. Officials, if you canfind one, are saying it's 24 hours strike ("maybe more maybe less")

PeeCee


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 133

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 08:26

Back to top

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 08:35

GGGrrrrrhh! me too! Shut the house up, gave the food away, up at crack of dawn only to be sent back again. Now I wouldn't normally object to an extra day of sunshine but guess what? heavy rain in Baspinar!

This is the 3rd time CTA have done this to me - twice at this end & once in Manchester. Turkish Air for me from now on!

Wouldn't care but I thought I was being very clever yesterday doing Tesco online ha ha! lorry load of goodies & comfort food heading to my house in UK this afternoon - daughter in law says she will intercept it - hope she doesn't eat it all!

Maggie

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 09:26

back to top - if anyone has managed to get through to CTA customer 'disservices' and finds out what's happening please post on here - I've been trying both numbers that I have constantly since 6am



Maggie

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 09:56

We don't use CTA any more... just not worth the risk of cancellation. They are broke and they don't know how to fix it... They are several times over-staffed yet you can't get any service to speak of.



Straw that broke the camel's back... I think so. It's a real shame but they don't know what to do.

PeeCee


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 133

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 10:40

Been into Manchester Airport site for flight info and there's a message to say that they will be putting out more information on the flight at 1300 local time. We've been trying the phone number they gave us at Ercan airport but no reply. Again a plea - if anyone gets information about when the flight is to be resumed please post it here

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 10:51

Groucho



The only thing that can be done is to cut the workforce drastically. As you say, they have several hundred personnel doing the 'work' that a quarter of the worforce could easily achieve. The only other option is to cease trading. A debt of $100 million (+) will not be improved by strikes !! Alas, the ethos here of creating jobs just to have people employed is not economically viable - the state of the civil service in the TRNC is a prime example. I have lost count of the number of government offices that I have visited where 10 people are employed to do the job that 3 or 4 could comfortably do and invariably most of them will be sat around drinking coffee or reading the paper. Why can't the government see what everybody else can ???



Small wonder that 'progress' is so slow in forthcoming.



Just my opinion of course.



Paul

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 10:58

Dear PeeCee

I see you are in Karsyaka. If & when this flight eventually is reinstated is there any possibility of a lift with you to Ercan please? It's just for me (I'm quite small ha ha) and only have hand baggage. My friend who took me this morning & then brought me back, has to work the rest of the day and I feel awful having got her up at such an ungodly hour already this am. I would, of course contribute to petrol. I am in Baspinar (above Lapta) but could possibly get a ride to the main road to meet you.

I'll understand if it's not possible but keep my fingers crossed.

Kind regards

Maggie



ps. still trying all the CTA numbers I have constantly - no joy!

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 11:29

Is the airport functioning normally? No (extra) delays for incoming and/or outgoing planes (yet)?

I ask this because tomorrow morning a Corendon airplane with around 70 Dutch travel journalists and officials from touroperators etc in the Netherlands is bound to arrive at Ercan. If things go wrong tomorrow morning - what a fine promotion of TRNC... :-(

Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 12:17

Manchester airport website saying next info at 10.30 (BST)



Why is CTA on strike? Has someone asked them to smile?

Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 13:14

Manchester airport site now saying next info at 12.00.

The flight has been taken off Antalya arrivals/departures board.

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 13:23

Just been in touch with Ken who is at Manchester and he has been told nothing at 10.30 they have taken phone numbers and told they will be informed when anything happens. Not been offered any food/accomodation disgusting behaviour. This happened to me last August - we have always supported CTA but no more they do not deserve customers. Liz

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 13:23

Is CTA putting stranded travellers up in Hotels?



Richard

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 13:33

Strike

I understand from information gained from one of the UK KTHY offices that most or all of the Cyprus based staff of CTA may be on strike today - this will cause flight disruption.

If I find out more I will try to post what information I can get for you.

Most sorry for being vague but the information is not complete and might change or have changed at any point of time.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 13:44

The striking staff must know the company is in dire financial straits, well over staffed as a consequence of rife nepotism and they decide to strike over Easter week! Really good for business and their future job security when the airline folds!



Richard

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 14:06

Can't agree more Richard they are so short sighted, they are striking I assume for their 13th wage and for the 100 or so staff that may lose their jobs. Don't they realise that they will ALL lose their jobs if the airline goes under.

Ken still getting no info and as yet not been offered food

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 14:11

Msg 16, TT

Just emailed my Travel Agent (Janny) to see if she can find out more information her end. Will post her reply when she responds.



Richard

PeeCee


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 133

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 14:41

Message 8 So sorry Maggie our car is full. Hope that someone else can help you.

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 14:46

Msg 18

No problem I'll get fixed up - hope you didn't think I was too cheeky asking!

Still getting no joy on phone Nos - sent 2 emails but no reply - what a surprise! trouble is I can't book a taxi till I know when I'm going it's a bit like "how long's a piece of string?" at the moment.

Please C44 - remind me NEVER to fly with CTA again!

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 14:52

MaggieandBernie, if CTA don't sort out their debt then you may never be able to fly with them again.

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 15:01

Ken been told at Manchester there will be no flight and to get a refund and book a flight with TA tomorrow so it doesn't look as though there will be a flight out of Ercan to Manchester - has anybody else got any updates

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 15:06

Oh great! Just been looking at TAs website - they won't let you book from 'Lefkosa' (Ercan) to Man online.

ideas on a postcard please...I have a new grandbaby due any minute and really need to get to Manchester like yesterday!

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 15:12

Yo could go on flight bookers or travelsupermarket they both let you book on line. Price for Ken to get back £321!!!!

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 15:13

Maggie

Have you looked at flying from larnaca ?

On Skyscanner.net they have flights starting at £133 leaving in the next couple of days.



You can book online and print off your E-Ticket



Paul

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 15:16

cheers Paul will have a look now

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 15:42

Where the hell are the CTA Managers in Manchester or Ercan to sort out this mess with information on what to do in the emergency 'need to fly' scenario? So how can anyone get a refund to fly with another carrier if no one is there?! Who pays the price differential by changing to TA or another carrier? What about taxi fare expenses? Most tickets are non-refundable nor changeable, so who broke the contract of purchase?

Sue them for breach of contract and expenses!



Richard

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 15:49

well said Richard!

cheapest TA flight one way (tomorow) is £525

cheapest out of Larnaca I can find is with Monarch £196 + the taxi fare (if I can get one at such short notice). I've also lost my train booking that I made for today so will cost me loads on arrival at Manchester

Could someone put the number up for Tom the flight holiday chap who's on here somewhere please.

Stress, stress, stress - would like a huge stiff drink but best not start!

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 15:54

MB

He's on another post on the this front page about this very same topic.



Richard

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 16:11

Just heard that 'Red Robbo' is living in TRNC with a Kimi(?) card and is head of Public Relations for CTA!



Richard

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 16:23

Just had a call from Tom @ flightholiday and I think he has become my knight in shining armour! Looks like I'm heading for home first thing in the morning!

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 16:31

Maggie is their a flight for Manchester then tomorrow?

PeeCee


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 133

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 16:43

Maggie - so pleased that you're sorted. Wish we knew what was happening,

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 16:48

Just had email that flights are leaving 22.00 tomorrow but from Stansted and need to contact your travel agents.



Richard

MajorieDawes


Joined: 23/10/2008
Posts: 62

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 17:04

The Manchester flight is now due in at 00:15 according to the MAN website. Assuming it's correct (no guarantee) people had better get their skates on to get back to the airport.

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 17:08

Manchester now saying yk663 arriving 00.15 yk664 departing 01.15 8th April. So looks like flight leaving tonight can anyone confirm this

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 17:21

Oh God I've just booked a flight to Birmingham now! But haven't had a word from CTA after constantly phoning & emailing all day I'll try my luck with Turkish Air at 5.05 in the morning (another night on the tiles!)

Cowboy outfit CTA had better refund my dosh after all this I think I want damages for the stress!



Good Luck to everyone else, hope you all get sorted soon!



Maggie

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 17:58

has anyone heard if this flight is going ahead there is nothing showing on the Ercan flight why am I not surprised! It should leave around 8ish CY time Ken pissed off now in rainy Manchester.

Sarniebarn


Joined: 20/10/2008
Posts: 15

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 18:04

Been turned away from Stansted today (10.30 am flight) and still waiting for CTA UK to inform us if there will be a flight today or tomorrow. Really annoyed as booked last October and flight prices were reasonable and times were not overnight.

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 18:10

just contacted Ercan yes really and the Manchester flight leaves at 8pm tonight

Hilntim


Joined: 07/04/2010
Posts: 2

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 18:18

Stuck at Stanstead Radisson until 10pm tomorrow. Won't get to Antalya till 0345 Friday (36 hours late). Thanks to all the ground crew at CTA for making our first trip to Turkey memorable for all the wrong reasons

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 18:26

Msg 39 Topten - so that means it arrives in Manchester when exactly? about midnight? Well glad I'm going in the morning I'd never get a train at that time of night & a taxi would be around £100.

Bon Voyage everyone, safe journeys all round!



Maggie

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 18:31

Maggie Msg 41 - glad you are sorted hope the price was right.



Just got through to KTHY & it seems that the strike is "over" so during tomorow things might start to sort out but do remember that the planes could be in the wrong place and the same applies to the crews so normality (such as CTA or any airline has it) might not return for 36/72 hours

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 18:35

CTA have contacted people for Manchester flight to Ercan check in 10.30 leaving Man at 02.15

keithr


Joined: 20/08/2008
Posts: 720

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 18:50

175tl for temporaray residency sounds very cheap right now !!

wagon


Joined: 01/04/2009
Posts: 154

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 19:29

manchester plane takes off at 8pm wednesday

the strike is over

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 19:33

I bet with no food or grog!



Richard

Sarniebarn


Joined: 20/10/2008
Posts: 15

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 22:48

Yippee we have a Stansted flight to Ercan at 10 pm on Thursday. Not very happy cos we hate night flights and booked well in advance to get the day flight that was cancelled. I hope we get some compensation for having to arrange cabs back and forth.

leapylee


Joined: 21/03/2010
Posts: 83

Message Posted:
07/04/2010 23:04

Feel really sorry for all of you flying to or from Manchester. The sooner Pegasus operate out of Manchester the better for you. We are lucky to fly with them out of Stansted and so far had no major delays in 2 years and soooooooo cheap! Have a good flight once you are all on.

eastendjoker


Joined: 24/04/2008
Posts: 166

Message Posted:
08/04/2010 00:32

Pegasus are spot on from Stansted and we now have a set routine for our flights, normally about £340 to £380 return for 2 people always into Ercan for 8.30pm normally sittingdown for dinner at 9.30 would not dream of using anybody else unless things change a hell of alot !

PeeCee


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 133

Message Posted:
08/04/2010 13:01

Does anyone know what time the Manchester flight actually left Ercan? Had a call from friends at 8.30 and the flight had not been called yet

steveg1947


Joined: 24/03/2008
Posts: 54

Message Posted:
08/04/2010 13:41

Arrived at Ercan at 5.45 for .7.00 flight to Manchester. Lots of people at the main entrance to the airport, chaniting in Turkish. Found out once we had been through baggage x.ray that the flight was "delayed"

Then heard that the people at the gate were CTY staff who were on strike, possibly for 24 hours!

Nobody at the airport had any further info and CTY desk shut. got a lift to Pia Bella in Girne with some other passengers then spent the day in Girne trying to contact someone who could give info.

Went back to the airport at 5.00pm as flight was back on at 7.00 then moved to 8.00 actually left at 9.30.

Manchester5 at 01.00am

Apart from the delay the main problem was lack of info from anyone!

Steve g

PeeCee


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 133

Message Posted:
08/04/2010 15:48

So right - the lack of information was unacceptable. Spend most of the day ringing telephone numbers only to be told to ring another and going round in telephonic circles and getting no information at all. Found out about the evening flight at the last minute and made the dash for the airport. It's things such as this that give TRNC a bad name as a holiday destination. Plainly there was no contingency planning at all - and given the state of the airline you would not need an MBA in Management to see this one coming.

Hilntim


Joined: 07/04/2010
Posts: 2

Message Posted:
08/04/2010 16:21

We were told by Holly on the desk at Stansted to check into an airport hotel and send the bill to CTA. I hope they're good for it.

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
08/04/2010 17:59

Arrived back home this morning at 10.45 having spent from 9am yesterday morning to 2.20am this morning,the CTA staff at Manchester were abysmal.They had no idea what was or as happened with the problems at CTA, they had very little sympathy with srtanded travellers they told us basically to piss off back home and out of thier hair, and they would contact us with any news, we were not offered food or drink never mind alternative accomodation, some were contacted by phone, others, me included were not.It is now time for CTA to make amends to people who use this company and pay higher flight costs than other company,s to repay some of the extra expense they have had to pay through thier Mickey Mouse run buisness. I for one am sending a letter of complaint in and also one for compensation, I hope other people that had thier plans ruined, will also complain. Its time to get off our arses and let them know we will not be crapped on cotinually by them.

TT Ken

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
08/04/2010 18:18

To get any sort of redress it'll have to be a small claims court summons issued in the UK, used to be £20 but probably more now. Absolutely no chance of getting any reimbursement in TRNC.



Richard

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
08/04/2010 18:18

Don't bother complaining to CTA, it is a waste of time. If you have paid by credit card then the credit card company are "jointly and severally liable." This means they have acted as a joint seller of the ticket and can be held equally liable. The key to the complaint with them is to explain that CTA has told you to go away and is refusing to communicate with you. This means that the credit card company have to act on your behalf and recover money from CTA. Keep using the words "you are jointly and severally liable." Ask them to put the sum you paid via them "in contention." You will need a copy of you ticket invoice and proof of your delay, tell the credit card company to check with CTA about the delay. You will also have to work out compensation. I've gained several thousands of pounds of compensation this way. If you've paid through Ankara Travel, for example, they are also liable under EU law but...

measey


Joined: 07/02/2009
Posts: 1037

Message Posted:
08/04/2010 20:07

Groucho. who do you use now.



Measey.

PeeCee


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 133

Message Posted:
09/04/2010 08:14

Good advice. My problem is that I used my credit card to purchase the tickets on behalf of my friends. Guess I stand no chance. The upshot of all this is that visitors who come here and love what they see and experience are nonetheless likely to be very reluctant to put themselves up for a return visit after the nightmare of CTA. Each passenager will tell at least 10 other people and the nail in the coffin of tourism for TRNC is further driven down. Whilst I take the point about other airlines who operate here - Stanstead is just so difficult for many of us to get to.

mikea11


Joined: 15/06/2008
Posts: 254

Message Posted:
09/04/2010 08:36

Stopped using CTA ages ago. I really feel sorry for those affected by this latest fiasco but why do people keep using them and putting them selves through all this pain and misery time and time again. If they cant sort themselves out they do not deserve any support.

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
11/04/2010 09:54

Just had an email from a friend over there who says Cyprus Today have covered this story.



Apparently a spokesman for CTA said:



"We have provided free flights, free accommodation and free tickets to fly with other airlines to those passengers affected."



News to me! I had to pay for another flight, two taxis & two lots of train fare!



Up to now I have had no reply from CTA to my phone calls or emails.



Just wondering if anyone else has had any joy?



Maggie

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
11/04/2010 11:18

re msg 60 MaggieandBernie

Let me tell you,if CTA have issued this statement saying we were offered accomodation they are lying if they said they offered meal or drink vouchers they are lying,I have not contacted CTA yet but I will.

I spent from 9am wednesday to 9.30 pm that night before I could have my luggage checked in for a 2.15am thursday morning departure.

After this moronic employee of theirs told passengers that their flight was delayed, and she had no idea why, she dissapeared until check in time.

John1940


Joined: 07/04/2010
Posts: 5

Message Posted:
11/04/2010 12:27

Just booked a flight from the UK one way for my wife...CTA was £202 ....Monarch £102..Guess which one I chose?