Delta to suspend Istanbul immediately
#1
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Delta to suspend Istanbul immediately
looks like this won't even operate this summer, very last minute cancellation!
no longer bookable on DL.com
http://news.delta.com/delta-suspend-...tanbul-service
no longer bookable on DL.com
http://news.delta.com/delta-suspend-...tanbul-service
Due to increased security concerns in Turkey, including a travel warning issued by the State Department, and weaker demand for air travel to this market, Delta has taken the decision to suspend its New York-JFK-Istanbul service due to start in May 2016. Customers can go to www.delta.com for more information on re-accommodations.
#3
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These actions could really hurt Turkey's tourism industry.
#4
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#6
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#7
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This is too bad. Istanbul is an amazing city.
Can't say I blame Delta though, given the uncertainty I am sure bookings are down (and unlike TK, DL doesn't have transit passengers to help with the loads).
Can't say I blame Delta though, given the uncertainty I am sure bookings are down (and unlike TK, DL doesn't have transit passengers to help with the loads).
#8
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Did something happen very recently to generate a new travel warning from the State Department? I'm not aware of any major changes to the situation in IST.
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Apr 20, 2016 at 9:59 am Reason: typo
#9
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The US gov't recently evacuated non-essential personnel not just from the Incirlik area, but also from the Izmir and Bodrum areas. That very much surprised me as Izmir/Bodrum are some of the most secular areas in Turkey. (And something must have changed, as migrants have been passing through those areas for over a year.) It's too bad, SW Turkey is amazing.
#10
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The other deterrent is the scarlet SSSS status that many people are reporting after traveling as tourists to Turkey and coming back to fly in the states. I'm told of cases where American diplomats traveling on dip passports going to/from post through Turkey are getting them!
#11
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I called the Diamond line and the news has not filtered down to the RA yet. I had booked the DTW-JFK-IST R/T for July 8th-13th and was able to use my last GUC and already had it confirmed for the return (that will tell you there was light booking). I could adjust the trip but the JFK-IST non-stop was the real highlight for a quick turn (and I'm not going on Turkish without the MQM and MQD credit). I also booked a non-refundable 4 nights at the Doubletree near Old Town when they ran a 78 Euro/night special a couple months ago. Will be interested to see how accommodating Delta will be on the change, and if they can force the GUC to confirm on a DTW-CDG or AMS segment with Delta metal.
#12
Flew SEA-CDG last week and then CDG-SLC yesterday. Both planes maybe 2/3 full at the MOST. Coming home may have been even 1/2 full. 😕
#13
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The US gov't recently evacuated non-essential personnel not just from the Incirlik area, but also from the Izmir and Bodrum areas. That very much surprised me as Izmir/Bodrum are some of the most secular areas in Turkey. (And something must have changed, as migrants have been passing through those areas for over a year.) It's too bad, SW Turkey is amazing.
Bodrum seems much more permissive than Istanbul, although in both places you do see some women wearing headscarfs, etc. It's a major center for beach vacations combined with archaeology sites and historic forts, mosques, etc. IME you see more topless women on the beach and really tiny bikinis walking along the beach or in waterfront cafes and bars than you do in almost all USA resort areas. Openly gay couples are common, as are public displays of affection. There are bars and nightclubs that are open and crowded in the middle of the night in Bodrum. Yet there seem to be a lot of mosques that call the faithful to prayer at the required times.
#14
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Maybe if they'd stop charging so much to CDG there'd be more pax. Fares have been fairly high for a few years. I would usually take multiple weekend trips to CDG over a year, but can't justify it with the prices they were charging.
#15
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http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...ly-bomb-attack
The seasonal Delta nonstop carried mostly American tourists, so it is not surprising that recent events (not just in IST) have curtailed US-originating travel to some of these spots.