Last day, strangely enough. Booked a flight with Turkish Airways, which of necessity involves a transfer in Turkey. More or less because TRNC is not recognised by any country except Turkey, but it’s actually more complicated than that. Taiwan is recognised by very few countries but has direct flights to other countries. The short explanation, for those disinclined to read the Chicago Convention and associated commentary, is that China tacitly approves - or at least does not try to prevent - flights to Taiwan. It appears that the Chinese are easier to reach agreement with than the Greek Cypriots. Who would have thought?
So our original booking had a transfer in Istanbul to a Turkish Airlines flight to London. It left Ercan Airport in Nicosia at 9:15. And not too much later we got an email telling us of a schedule change. Flight now leaving Ercan at 4:00 AM. Transfer wait time now much longer. Tiny print gives a website to refer to for more detail. Saw no need to refer. Rescheduling info perfectly clear and acceptable, if not all that desirable.
However today go online to check the booking. Website says booking number must be changed as flights have changed. Attempts to change result in messages re technical difficulty and need to phone handy 24 hour line, apparently in Istanbul. Phone number less handy than described. Repeated attempts abort at different stages of the press one press two scenario but all do fail. Occasional operator references to quality control but same not in evidence. Find phone number for Turkish Airlines at Ercan, also advertised as 24/7 but no answer. Repair to North Cyprus Expats pages on Facebook for advice, or at least sympathy, but no real joy.
Consider that at least taxi, driven by friend of Hassan, is booked early so all may be sorted at airport. Friend arrives at eleven as promised. Asks on the way what time our flight is. Tell him four. But they won’t let you in the airport until three hours before. Also informs us that Turkish Airlines is famous for not answering the phone. We consider that at least the night is warm. Arrive 11:30, early enough to score two of the six outside chairs. Presumably early enough to have Turkish Airlines sort problem should they be so minded.
Allowed in at one as promised. Girl at desk not remotely interested in our booking and ticket numbers. No need to ask for assistance changing booking number, seemingly essential procedure online. Does examine very carefully our UK passenger locator form, used by UK to trace covid contacts should need arise. Extremely detailed info submitted less than 48 hours before arrival. Arrivals from Canada required to quarantine when landing in the UK but not, happily, those who are coming from Cyprus - or Turkey. Probable reason slightly amusing. Canada has significantly better stats than Turkey and even somewhat better stats than France, also on the UK’s gold list. Not a question of reciprocity, either. Cypriot allowed in without quarantine, which is not the case with Brits going to Cyprus. But British quarantine regulations were designed mainly to please British citizens desperate for summer holidays in the sun without their having to quarantine on return. Canada is not what they are thinking.
But through security and - two and a half hours later - on the plane. Announcements in Turkish and English, with some quaint touches. We are referred to as dear customers and reminded of the need for social distancing - though the plane is too full to make that meaningful. Given small sealed packages with two disinfectant wipes and a face mask each. Disinfectant wipes handy for wiping down the water containers distributed by a stewardess, which she allows the none too bright man in the aisle seat to pass along to us. Man should, actually have had the window seat and J the aisle, which he prefers, but proved incapable of understanding the seating diagram so J gave up.
Five forty land at the new Istanbul airport, the largest in the world. But tomorrow is another day.
So our original booking had a transfer in Istanbul to a Turkish Airlines flight to London. It left Ercan Airport in Nicosia at 9:15. And not too much later we got an email telling us of a schedule change. Flight now leaving Ercan at 4:00 AM. Transfer wait time now much longer. Tiny print gives a website to refer to for more detail. Saw no need to refer. Rescheduling info perfectly clear and acceptable, if not all that desirable.
However today go online to check the booking. Website says booking number must be changed as flights have changed. Attempts to change result in messages re technical difficulty and need to phone handy 24 hour line, apparently in Istanbul. Phone number less handy than described. Repeated attempts abort at different stages of the press one press two scenario but all do fail. Occasional operator references to quality control but same not in evidence. Find phone number for Turkish Airlines at Ercan, also advertised as 24/7 but no answer. Repair to North Cyprus Expats pages on Facebook for advice, or at least sympathy, but no real joy.
Consider that at least taxi, driven by friend of Hassan, is booked early so all may be sorted at airport. Friend arrives at eleven as promised. Asks on the way what time our flight is. Tell him four. But they won’t let you in the airport until three hours before. Also informs us that Turkish Airlines is famous for not answering the phone. We consider that at least the night is warm. Arrive 11:30, early enough to score two of the six outside chairs. Presumably early enough to have Turkish Airlines sort problem should they be so minded.
Allowed in at one as promised. Girl at desk not remotely interested in our booking and ticket numbers. No need to ask for assistance changing booking number, seemingly essential procedure online. Does examine very carefully our UK passenger locator form, used by UK to trace covid contacts should need arise. Extremely detailed info submitted less than 48 hours before arrival. Arrivals from Canada required to quarantine when landing in the UK but not, happily, those who are coming from Cyprus - or Turkey. Probable reason slightly amusing. Canada has significantly better stats than Turkey and even somewhat better stats than France, also on the UK’s gold list. Not a question of reciprocity, either. Cypriot allowed in without quarantine, which is not the case with Brits going to Cyprus. But British quarantine regulations were designed mainly to please British citizens desperate for summer holidays in the sun without their having to quarantine on return. Canada is not what they are thinking.
But through security and - two and a half hours later - on the plane. Announcements in Turkish and English, with some quaint touches. We are referred to as dear customers and reminded of the need for social distancing - though the plane is too full to make that meaningful. Given small sealed packages with two disinfectant wipes and a face mask each. Disinfectant wipes handy for wiping down the water containers distributed by a stewardess, which she allows the none too bright man in the aisle seat to pass along to us. Man should, actually have had the window seat and J the aisle, which he prefers, but proved incapable of understanding the seating diagram so J gave up.
Five forty land at the new Istanbul airport, the largest in the world. But tomorrow is another day.
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