flying a cat istanbul to north cyprus as hand luggage

petlover


Joined: 20/10/2011
Posts: 1

Message Posted:
20/10/2011 16:10

can anyone advise me how I can fly with a cat as hand luggage form istanbul to north cyprus.



Turkish airlines are saying their plane is too small or something like that??



any sensible advice much appreciated

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
20/10/2011 16:21

Fiona msg 1 - to fly as hand baggage your pet would have to be in a box that can fit below the seat in front of you. Very restricted in height!

The standard procedure is to have a travelling kennel and pre book your cat as excess baggage which will be charged by the airline. Have you arranged any quarantine etc? If you want some more help or the flights etc. arranged please let me know off board @ info@flightholiday.co.uk

Riddles


Joined: 26/04/2011
Posts: 429

Message Posted:
20/10/2011 20:59

If we have a whip-round will you book another 657 cats from Lapta? (It'll stop the cr*p in my garden)

Marion


Joined: 06/03/2011
Posts: 1816

Message Posted:
20/10/2011 23:33

Tom is talking sense, Petlover. Not all airlines will carry cats in containers, and there is a weight limit of pet plus container. Obviously the smaller the amoutn of space, the less l;ikely the airlines can carry the pet. tom is the man to give you full advice, or ask the airline what you are meant to do. Size of the aircraft does matter. (who said 'size doens't matter'?)

daisythedog


Joined: 17/07/2009
Posts: 73

Message Posted:
21/10/2011 07:57

Petlover, NC has very strict animal import rules. Your cat will need to have been microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and had a rabies serological blood test. The test paper showing a clear result must not be less than 21days or more than 365 days old. An import licence will only be issued with that otherwise it's 21 days quarantine in Nicosia.

Cyprusquest


Joined: 09/12/2008
Posts: 428

Message Posted:
21/10/2011 14:07

Daisy just checking - does that include from Turkey?

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
21/10/2011 15:11

John Msg 6 - to the best of my knowledge it would include from Turkey. There are sometimes a few wrinkles if you can provide proof of good home quarantine but Ann (Daisy) can tell you more.

gizzie


Joined: 17/04/2011
Posts: 34

Message Posted:
22/10/2011 10:39

To the person from Lapta:



Someone who obviously cared about their pet has asked a serious question.



I am sure that you are British. If you can't be of help , just butt out.

gizzie


Joined: 17/04/2011
Posts: 34

Message Posted:
22/10/2011 10:45

To the person wanting to bring their cat from Istanbul, it is very difficult.



if you are coming from the UK, there is one relatively simple way to bring your cat with you and to have it in the passenger cabin.



Travel to amsterdam and get a Corendon flight to Ercan, making sure that your pet has its pet passport up to date.



You can pay 25 euros or so and have the pet with you in the passenger cabin. I have done this - the only thing to be aware of is that the cat MUST be in a very small plastic travelling box which fits under the seat in front. You must also advise the quarantine authorities here what flight you are arriving on, so that they can meet you at the airport. If you need any more advice call Bill Lowe or John Emslie on 01797 227869 or 01797 208059. Unlike the moron in Lapta who replied with a sarcastic remark, we will do our best to help you.

daisythedog


Joined: 17/07/2009
Posts: 73

Message Posted:
22/10/2011 19:22

Petlover, you give your location as Kyrenia, if you have the correct paperwork for the cat suggest you visit Ankara Travel and talk to Eren in regard to flights from Istanbul. Quite possible your cat will have to travel in hold as excess baggage (10€ per kilo cat & box ) but hey this is a fairly short flight. I regularly take cats and dogs from Ercan to Paris via Istanbul a much longer journey. only once have i been offered the chance to take a cat in the cabin (it was 6kg- 1kg over normal allowed weight) but neither of my flights was full so was able to put box on seat next to me. Wouldn't like to take one on full flight!

Happy to help you get import licence -please email me at janbosley@yahoo.co.uk if you want help.

In regards to quarantine at Nicosia the conditions there now are much better than before, but with a licence most pets either spend just one night there or even go straight to their home quarantine address.

Cyprusquest


Joined: 09/12/2008
Posts: 428

Message Posted:
22/10/2011 21:28

Talk to flightholiday or daisy both sound like they will help you.

LondonCypriot


Joined: 15/12/2008
Posts: 426

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 01:54

Did you try pegasus airlines as they also allow you take pets in as cabin.



Do try all the other airlines.



Turkish Airlines does normally allow you take cats as cabin from UK. Do make sure you do a thorough research.

me-style


Joined: 03/08/2010
Posts: 150

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 04:37

Pet lover, no need to talk to anyone. You will need updated vaccinations, blood test of the cat (2 times over one month as I recall). When you have those documents (the vet knows requirements for Northern Cyprus) then you call Turkish Airlines and book the cat as access luggage and you have to pay for it.



The customs in Ercan knows its coming so you better be up on the documents + Turkish airlines will not allow it onboard either if the papers are not ok.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
23/10/2011 10:27

Hans Msg 13- The rules keep changing and many vets do not know them let alone what is current that is why you go to people who have some expertise or who's job it is to know. Nothing worse than to arrive at the airport to find that you have it wrong or that your pet has more quarantine than they might need!



John in Msg 11 made a wise suggestion maybe better to not take advice from someone who wisely admits his knowledge might be out of date "as I recall".

shel56


Joined: 10/09/2008
Posts: 438

Message Posted:
24/10/2011 13:23

I brought my cat into NC from Saudi Arabia via Istanbul and he came all the way in the cabin with me. I also took him out to Spain with me and again he came on the plane with me and both flights were with Turkish Airlines. I booked him on the flight when I booked my seat.



The first time he flew with me he had a normal cat carrier box but the second time I had him in a cat holdall carrier which was better for him and for me as there isn't much room when they have to be place right under your feet.



You must make sure all the paperwork for your cat is right and you will have to pay for extra handluggage which would be the weight of your cat and the carrier.



You also have to get permission from the airline and most state that it is up to the pilot if he will take a pet on board the plane so it is a bit worrying when you think you have done everything right and your still not sure when you arrive at the airport that he can fly but it never happened to me thankfully.



Good luck