BA's move from Ataturk to the new Istanbul airport
Mar 12, 2019, 1:58 pm
#137
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,345
Unlike other airlines that "got the memo" or whatever, SQ actually cancelled flights in October, January and March, based on the previous move "news" so they on their own mean nothing. I am still highly dubious that this is going to happen on April 5/6. Everyone seems to forget all the big pronouncements six months ago.................. Some "external" factor will be claimed after local elections happen on the 31st.......I just feel it.
Mar 12, 2019, 7:12 pm
#138
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Mar 13, 2019, 8:40 am
#140
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Now I need to spend an extra night in ATH. Not that I'm complaining about staying in ATH because I love ATH, but the extra costs of hotel and a lost room (prepaid, non-changeable) is a bit annoying.
Hopefully BA won't cancel 5th/6th for people's sake!
Nothing on BA.com yet.
Mar 14, 2019, 12:33 am
#142
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Mar 15, 2019, 8:12 am
#145
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Based on the post I linked to earlier in the thread (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30883825-post3.html), it appears that neither Ataturk nor the new IST would be available for non-Turkish carriers on 5th or 6th. That seems to be why.
I am so thankful I did not book ex-IST because I'd have been in a spot of bother if I couldn't reach my destination in time (which I wouldn't have been able to had I been flying ex-IST).
I think this is the first time I have BA website issue to thank for something good!
I am so thankful I did not book ex-IST because I'd have been in a spot of bother if I couldn't reach my destination in time (which I wouldn't have been able to had I been flying ex-IST).
I think this is the first time I have BA website issue to thank for something good!
Mar 16, 2019, 10:35 am
#146
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold / Hilton Diamond / IHG Diamond Ambassador / Marriot Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,533
Unlike other airlines that "got the memo" or whatever, SQ actually cancelled flights in October, January and March, based on the previous move "news" so they on their own mean nothing. I am still highly dubious that this is going to happen on April 5/6. Everyone seems to forget all the big pronouncements six months ago.................. Some "external" factor will be claimed after local elections happen on the 31st.......I just feel it.
I am due to arrive in IST on the 17th April on TK and leave and leave on the 18th on BA. I will then return to IST in August to hopefully fly on TK's non stop 787 to DPS.
I hope it goes smoothly for them whenever it happens, but history tells us that few new airports operate smoothly from day 1.
Must say have been nightly impressed with TK over some minor schedule changes and both their app and call centre staff. Very efficient.
Mar 16, 2019, 1:05 pm
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,345
As I have been consistent and right about every single thing regarding this airport for over two years now...... Look as if stands, they are heel bent on this, however as it currently stands regarding BA, at this moment in time the CAA has found 26 problems at the takeout, that if not remedied will mean that British registered aircraft will not be able to serve the airport, and no one knows what these are and how difficult they are to remedy as IGA is extremely tight lipped about this To date the TSA and FAA have not inspected nor approved anything at the airport. Even if the inspections are to start this Monday (which AFAIK they are not), we don't know what problems they might find and if it's a little different than the CAA, as violations /deficiencies would most likely mean that no flights to North America by any airline could operate. And who knows what problems might be found and how long they would take to fix. It is bad enough that currently they will have to transport between 50,000 and 100,000 meals a day, a long distance and are facing sanitary concerns (most short and more haul TK flights carry meals for both directions from Istanbul). It is even worse that TK's Cargo operation may essentially evaporate in a month if they do not get it together, but if their backup plan is actually to keep North American flights to/from Ataturk, until FAA and TSA approval, they will destroy their connection business and decimate their schedules
Mar 20, 2019, 7:50 am
#148
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1
BA just published an announcement, confirming their "intention" to use the new airport starting on 7 April. I cannot post URLs yet but just check the "travel news section" on BA's website
Last edited by erty10; Mar 20, 2019 at 7:50 am Reason: phrasing
Apr 1, 2019, 5:11 pm
#149
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold / Hilton Diamond / IHG Diamond Ambassador / Marriot Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,533
by comparison TK information is very good (assuming it opens) and they have updated all my flights and contacted me several times.
should be interesting.
Apr 1, 2019, 5:21 pm
#150
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Berlin
Programs: Meow Mix
Posts: 1,434
Summary
Along with all other airlines, British Airways will be transferring its flights to Istanbul New Airport, following the closure of Istanbul Ataturk Airport for commercial flights.
Any customers due to fly with British Airways to Istanbul up until 4 April 2019 will arrive into Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
From 7 April 2019 all flights will arrive into Istanbul New Airport.
More information During the transition period (5-6 April), no British Airways flights will operate to or from Istanbul. We have contacted affected customers, who will be offered a full refund or the opportunity to move their travel dates.
Along with all other airlines, British Airways will be transferring its flights to Istanbul New Airport, following the closure of Istanbul Ataturk Airport for commercial flights.
Any customers due to fly with British Airways to Istanbul up until 4 April 2019 will arrive into Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
From 7 April 2019 all flights will arrive into Istanbul New Airport.
More information During the transition period (5-6 April), no British Airways flights will operate to or from Istanbul. We have contacted affected customers, who will be offered a full refund or the opportunity to move their travel dates.