Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles - Any improvements in the flight delays.

My flights ( 9 out of the 10 flights ) to Istanbul are from the start of the summer schedule delayed on average by 1.5 Hours. ( due to the late arrival of the aircraft from Istanbul )
Luckily my departing flight is an hour later ( due to the summer time table ) but if this continues during the winter timetable i will miss my connection for sure.

Does anybody sees any improvement in the delays for the future or is it sometime we have to learn to live with it as TK is not cable to resolve this.

No expert on TK or Istanbul, just give my experience from today's flight.

Arrived from IST-LAX flight. The inbound aircraft was delayed due to air traffic control and we were further delayed to take off with the same issue. Schedule to depart 12:45PM, wheel up around 3:55PM. Recovered some time in flight but still landed with 2+ hours delay and I missed my connection flight.

I flew out from IST couple of times but this is first time with such long delay. We sat on the plane waiting for take-off for close to 2 hours. Seems the problem is congestion of runway? If so, can't see any short term resolution and summer will probably get worse.

Looks like that yesterday ( 15 April ) was really bad even for TK standards.
According to the website most planes had a delay of about 2.3 / 3 hours.

Was their any special going on at Istanbul airport that created those "extra" delays ?

Supposedly one runway is out because of construction, last week I had a 3 hour flight that was almost 6 hours delayed, 4 of which we were sitting on the aircraft, you know its bad when they serve you your meal on the ground.

TK1980 delayed over 3 hours LHR IST today

:td::td:

TK1980 delayed over 3 hours LHR IST today

:td::td:

Strong southwest winds is the reason for today. NCE, SOF, GOA, CGN, BEG and many other domestic flights were cancelled this morning.

Strong southwest winds is the reason for today. NCE, SOF, GOA, CGN, BEG and many other domestic flights were cancelled this morning.

Was the wind also the reason for all the long delays yesterday ? ( 15 April 2012 )

Was the wind also the reason for all the long delays yesterday ? ( 15 April 2012 )

Sorry. Not sure about yesterday. :(

I do nto buy these "wind" excuses, the wind has not been any better or worse than anytime that I can remember and this has been an issue for a month, and there has not been "wind" everyday nor anything close to it.

ATC (Air Traffic Control) in slowdown mode ("following appropriate procedures") due to pay dispute. Strong southern winds are usually the culprit as they have a great impact on IST, the two runways are not fully independent. The relevant authorities need to come up with short-term/long-term solutions or IST and THY will lose business with the current chaos:rolleyes:

I am in the lounge in IST right now and many flights are delayed. Especially the ones to Western Europe -- supposed to go around 7-8pm are now leaving only at 4/5am next day -- which I assume is due to the night flight restrictions there or the mere problem how to travel on when you land in EU at 2-3am?!

what surprised me and other here is that e.g. the flight to AMM is also 8+ hrs delayed...:confused:

Supposedly one runway is out because of construction, last week I had a 3 hour flight that was almost 6 hours delayed, 4 of which we were sitting on the aircraft, you know its bad when they serve you your meal on the ground.

Finally TK has done something proactive! Now they can hide the whole air time in the galley!

They are blaming the weather for the delays on twitter and facebook.:rolleyes:

It is getting a bloody disgrace for both TK and IST Airport.
I'm checking the departure and arrival times for my flights during the last week.
I have normally a 3 hour transit period and during the last week except for one day i would miss all my connections due to those delays.

I hope that they are getting their act together before next week when i have to fly again or i'm forced to switch to another airline/airport for my business class flights in the future.

Does this mean I can try/risk short JFK layover/connection (domestic to TK flights), such as 2 hours and still make the connection? OTOH I probably won't remotely take a chance on any TK connections under 4 hours, especially TK to US domestic.

Atatürk Havalimanı’ndaki hava koşullarına ilişkin kamuoyuna duyuru

16.04.2012
Son günlerde Atatürk Havalimanı'nda hava şartlarının oluşturduğu rötarlar yaşanmaktadır. Uzun süredir devam eden bu şartların özellikle bu hafta perşembe, cuma, cumartesi ile önümüzdeki iki hafta boyunca sürmesi beklenmektedir.

Atatürk Havalimanı'nda normal şartlarda saatlik kapasite 55 iniş kalkıştır. Güneyli rüzgarlarda maksimum 42 iniş kalkış yapılabilmekte, zaman zaman gün içinde bu sayının altına da düşülmektedir.

Havalimanında uçakların kalkış ve inişte park yerine ulaşması için bekleme yapması apron trafiğini de etkilemektedir. Bu durum bagaj ve yolcunun terminale taşınmasını da aksatmaktadır.

Önlem olarak alınacak tedbirler konusunda kriz masası oluşturulmuş ve alınacak tedbirler belirlenmiştir. Zincirleme tehirlerin oluşmaması için yolcuların minumun seviyede etkileneceği biçimde iptal ve birleştirmeler yapılacaktır. Günlük 3 seferin üzerinde sefer yapılan noktalarda seferler birleştirilip geniş gövdeli uçaklarla uçuşlar gerçekleştirilecektir.

Yolcularımızın önümüzdeki iki hafta boyunca uçuşları öncesinde seferlerin durumunu çağrı merkezimizden ve web sayfamızdan takip etmeleri önem arzetmektedir.

Yaşanan sıkıntılar nedeniyle üzgün olduğumuzu kamuoyuyla paylaşmak istiyoruz.

Türk Hava Yolları
Basın Müşavirliği


The Turkish press release by TK regarding the latest delays at IST. The possible slowdown by ATC (the State Airport Authority>DHMI deny it) and the weather (lodos winds) have been causing the delays. The introduction of the summer schedule has strained further the already clogged infrastructure. IST has an hourly capacity of 55 landings/take-offs with its two runways. When there are the slightest adverse weather conditions this goes down to 42 due to runway limitations. As explained in the press release, the reduction of capacity has a knock-on effect from taxi times to baggage handling. It is also mentioned that they will merge flights to widebody a/c on routes with more than 3 daily frequencies. Flight cancellations are also expected.

TK are partly to blame here as they should have foreseen the troubles at IST and taken a more conservative approach in their expansion. The slow government bureaucracy, failing in coming up with short term solutions, isn't helping either.

As much as this hurts to say, my sincere advice is to avoid transiting through IST in the near future until TK and IST get their act together.

The "Lodos" thing is getting old.

Last Saturday MUC-IST was 1.5h late, missed the connection to DEL by 5 minutes -> 24h layover in IST :(

The "Lodos" thing is getting old.

So are you hfly:D it's a fact of life...

Over the last 28 days I have flown in or out of IST 12 times (actually 13 as I am flying out again tonight), I have been there a further time dropping off family, who has significant delays, so I have in reality been there on average every other day of the last 28 days, and with the exception of only one arrival, every single one has been significantly late, as much as six hours. I would estimate/guesstimate that weather, whether rain or wind were a factor maybe in 5 or six of these occasions.

And this is the problem with TK, isn't it, bad communication? I believe that it is a combination of many factors, which include:

Open Gate
Runway construction
Overpacked schedule
and then on some days weather.

The "Lodos winds" have always existed and I have been in Turkey when they were really a factor, they never ever made any such delays of this magnitude.

Over the last 28 days I have flown in or out of IST 12 times (actually 13 as I am flying out again tonight), I have been there a further time dropping off family, who has significant delays, so I have in reality been there on average every other day of the last 28 days, and with the exception of only one arrival, every single one has been significantly late, as much as six hours. I would estimate/guesstimate that weather, whether rain or wind were a factor maybe in 5 or six of these occasions.

And this is the problem with TK, isn't it, bad communication? I believe that it is a combination of many factors, which include:

Open Gate
Runway construction
Overpacked schedule
and then on some days weather.

The "Lodos winds" have always existed and I have been in Turkey when they were really a factor, they never ever made any such delays of this magnitude.

As I and others explained before, the southern winds reduce the runway utilization. This was not really a factor when IST was not operating at the edge of its limits. But now it is.

I agree with you that TK are also at fault here and their communication skills have a lot to be desired. BTW, sorry to hear about what you and your family had to go through. Being based in IST, I do the same routine and it really sucks.

Until DHMI comes up with real solutions the problems will persist. Wish you the best of luck, we certainly need it...

As I and others explained before, the southern winds reduce the runway utilization. This was not really a factor when IST was not operating at the edge of its limits. But now it is.

I agree with you that TK are also at fault here and their communication skills have a lot to be desired. BTW, sorry to hear about what you and your family had to go through. Being based in IST, I do the same routine and it really sucks.

Until DHMI comes up with real solutions the problems will persist. Wish you the best of luck, we certainly need it...

TK can't afford blaming the weather for the delays ( with the airport infrastructure and expansion ) and providing almost no information.
This is just not acceptable.
Myself ( and many in my company ) are looking for ways to avoid TK and especially IST completely.
Like i said some times before, TK is great when everything works but a nightmare when there are problems like now.
I can accept missing my connection maybe one or two times but after this it is over and out for TK.

TK can't afford blaming the weather for the delays and providing almost no information.
This is just not acceptable.
Myself ( and many in my company ) are looking for ways to avoid TK and especially IST completely.
Like i said some times before, TK is great when everything works but a nightmare when there are problems like now.
I can accept missing my connection maybe one or two times but after this it is over and out for TK.

Don't get me wrong here, I'm not saying TK can afford blaming the weather for the delays and provide no information. Believe me, TK is going to be the biggest loser from the congestion problem at IST. As I said before, considering the current situation I would also try to avoid IST at present. Being based in IST, I have no other choice. SAW has a limited schedule. It's really bad...

Could someone explain why the winds are considered one of the problems? Im flying from HEL time to time and when TK blames bad weather conditions i really can't keep a straight face. If TK would operate from HEL in winter they would ground the fleet.

Could someone explain why the winds are considered one of the problems? Im flying from HEL time to time and when TK blames bad weather conditions i really can't keep a straight face. If TK would operate from HEL in winter they would ground the fleet.

Due to the layout of the runways southern winds reduce the capacity of landings and takeoffs. It effects the utilization of the runways. Runways 17R and 17L are to close to eachother to have independent parallel approaches/departures. The winds effect runway 5-23 necessitating further traffic limitations. In short, there was no appropriate planning for the ever growing traffic at IST. I'm sure the infrastructure at HEL was done according to local needs and proper planning. Here in Turkey, we tend to lack the ability of anticipating what will be needed in the future...

There were some protest going on when I was in the check-in terminal at IST the other day. Several counters in the Business class side (E counters) have people aggregated, chanting and clapping. Some emotions but mostly peacefully. I didn't have a good look what's going on and had hard time to get pass through the crowd.

There were some protest going on when I was in the check-in terminal at IST the other day. Several counters in the Business class side (E counters) have people aggregated, chanting and clapping. Some emotions but mostly peacefully. I didn't have a good look what's going on and had hard time to get pass through the crowd.

Probably TK had cancelled a flight on the last minute and had offered an unrealistic option to them. That should be what they were protesting probably. It is a common sight especially for the domestic flights.

Southern/Southwestern "Lodos" Winds are really strong today.

Bosphorus Bridge was closed for sometime and then opened for controlled passage. The drivers were asked to hold steering wheels tightly. :D

Forecasts says that 100km/hr winds are expected.

Southern/Southwestern "Lodos" Winds are really strong today.

Bosphorus Bridge was closed for sometime and then opened for controlled passage. The drivers were asked to hold steering wheels tightly. :D

Forecasts says that 100km/hr winds are expected.

It even ripped off one of the metal panels on the air bridge connecting the car park to the terminal at IST airport. My next flight out of IST is on Tuesday and I really hope things quiet down by then...

Could someone explain why the winds are considered one of the problems? Im flying from HEL time to time and when TK blames bad weather conditions i really can't keep a straight face. If TK would operate from HEL in winter they would ground the fleet.

That's because of the Mickey Mouses that act as TK ground staff at HEL. Next time you hear a broken amusement park ride in Orlando is delaying the flight. The few nice guys never appear to take control at the gate. All zoo courtesy of you know what ground agent...

Irrevalent from the topic I'd say. But those HEL idiots should not act as ground staff to TK or any proper airline. Apply for Airpro to handle FR at TMP...

I am wondering. It seems that, regardless of the weather, TK will have problem with IST congestion due to its aggressive expansion strategy.

Would they consider transferring non *A flights to SAW until more permanently solutions can be found? I am not sure how much relief the IST will get but since they have very nice airport in the vicinity, I think it could be considered as a solution.

Hmmm, so DL(previously Delta) who has flown to IST for six decades, often at times that TK did not fly to JFK, should give up flying to IST because TK has problems (even though they have already had their desks banished to the wrong side of the airport and are always given th eworst gates)?? And BA? And AF/KL? Please give me one example of such a thing happening anywhere?

Tossing all Cargo out of IST, private planes, and redeveloping the military part of the airport ARE good ideas.

Istanbul's Ataturk Airport has recently experienced adverse weather conditions that have resulted in delays. Unfortunately, these delays are likely to persist for the next two weeks, with Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week being affected.

During normal weather conditions, the airport can accommodate 55 operations--landings and takeoffs--per hour. However, when southerly winds prevail, that number drops to a maximum of 42. In recent days, actual numbers have failed to reach even that level.

As aircraft wait to depart, and on arrival find intended gates still occupied, traffic on the ramp is also affected and the normal transfer of passengers and bags can be negatively affected as well.

In order to deal with the situation and improve performance, we have established a crisis desk intended to anticipate problems and to create alternative solutions. As a means of limiting delays and congestion, this group is proactively canceling some flights and combining passengers on a single departure.

This policy is being implemented to destinations where there are at least three flights per day and the services are operated with larger aircraft to assure that enough seats will be available for the increased passenger count.

Because of the ongoing schedule changes, we advise passengers to contact THY in advance, either through the call center or online via our website to obtain the latest information regarding their flights.

We apologize for the inconvenience that may be caused and ask for your understanding as we work through the anticipated delays over the next two weeks. As always, our top priority is to operate safely and with minimal disruption for our valued guests.

Turkish Airlines, Inc
Media Relations
http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-ro/corporate/announcements/11230h/declaration-about-bad-weather-conditions-at-istanbul-ataturk-airport.aspx

Yesterday I passed through IST, and paid close attention to delays status. Maybe the winds stopped or changed direction, but yesterday there were little to no delays from IST. My arrival and departure flights were both on-time, none of them with TK. When we took off my flight was only 5th in queue for take-off, cleared in <10 minutes.

Yesterday I passed through IST, and paid close attention to delays status. Maybe the winds stopped or changed direction, but yesterday there were little to no delays from IST. My arrival and departure flights were both on-time, none of them with TK. When we took off my flight was only 5th in queue for take-off, cleared in <10 minutes.

Things have returned to normality and flights are departing/arriving on time as you have pointed out. However, the unresolved issues remain and the chaos can return any time. BTW, as mentioned previously, TK needs to relocate some of its domestic operations to SAW.