Jun 19, 2018, 12:54 am
Last edit by: starflyergold
Please note that special rules apply to this thread given some of the recent arguments in this thread. I would like to draw your attention to the FT Rules, in particular about personal attacks, off topic and disruptive posts and discussing moderator action. From now on every rules violation in this thread will lead to immediate suspensions of posting privileges, no further warnings will be issued. These might be temporary or permanent. Should this not calm the situation down the thread will be closed down permanently.
starflyergold
TK forum moderator
starflyergold
TK forum moderator
Istanbul New Airport
Sep 14, 2018, 11:20 am
#931
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 613
And now that the government has dollarized contracts for all individuals and businesses in Turkey there is a huge backlash about governments contracts guaranteed in foreign currencies such as the airport, looks bad for the consortium considering that they are already in the hole and could not pay many things on time already, even before this happened. Now they have the US and the striking workers to blame, Expect a delay announcement (or soft whatever) by the end of the month.
Sep 14, 2018, 3:41 pm
#933
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Istanbul
Programs: QR Privilege Club
Posts: 137
The equipment that are being carried out from Ataturk Airport is not the beginning of a partial re-location. These are being shifted out to INA for the TEKNOFEST Event, which will be taking place this month. But they are probably surplus items and will not be shipped back to Ataturk...
Sep 14, 2018, 3:49 pm
#934
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Istanbul
Programs: QR Privilege Club
Posts: 137
And now that the government has dollarized contracts for all individuals and businesses in Turkey there is a huge backlash about governments contracts guaranteed in foreign currencies such as the airport, looks bad for the consortium considering that they are already in the hole and could not pay many things on time already, even before this happened. Now they have the US and the striking workers to blame, Expect a delay announcement (or soft whatever) by the end of the month.
Sep 14, 2018, 7:52 pm
#935
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YVR/YUL/LHR/HKG
Programs: TK Gold
Posts: 577
Apparently, tear gases have been used against workers in IGA
Sep 14, 2018, 7:53 pm
#936
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YVR/YUL/LHR/HKG
Programs: TK Gold
Posts: 577
Sep 15, 2018, 3:50 am
#937
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Istanbul
Programs: QR Privilege Club
Posts: 137
According to the news in their website (yet unconfirmed by any party): THY'den fla? Yeni Havaliman? karar? (Sorry, it's all in Turkish) 
TK will start operations at INA only with 20-30 planes, after Oct. 29th. These will consist of un-connected flights only; all flights with domestic and international connections will still be carried out from Ataturk Airport! Full operations will be (supposedly achieved) only by the end of 2018 (not 2019, as originally typed!). Even this may be a somehow "time buying" case; it may get prolonged until the beginning of 2019 Summer Timetable...
It goes without saying that Star Alliance flights will also stay at Ataturk. I now wonder, what other airlines (particularly BA, EK & QR to name a few, which have multiple daily flights) will react to this as it will be unfair competition for them, as long as TK remains at Ataturk.
I'm pretty much sure, that IGA partners have "much enjoyed" these news, if these will come out true. It will be a major loss of face, after all what has been commented, so far!...
However, INA/IGA partners will still have a small consolation: The Pax Guarantee to be provided by the State will start clicking during this quarter-time activities at the New Airport!
TK will start operations at INA only with 20-30 planes, after Oct. 29th. These will consist of un-connected flights only; all flights with domestic and international connections will still be carried out from Ataturk Airport! Full operations will be (supposedly achieved) only by the end of 2018 (not 2019, as originally typed!). Even this may be a somehow "time buying" case; it may get prolonged until the beginning of 2019 Summer Timetable...
It goes without saying that Star Alliance flights will also stay at Ataturk. I now wonder, what other airlines (particularly BA, EK & QR to name a few, which have multiple daily flights) will react to this as it will be unfair competition for them, as long as TK remains at Ataturk.
I'm pretty much sure, that IGA partners have "much enjoyed" these news, if these will come out true. It will be a major loss of face, after all what has been commented, so far!...
However, INA/IGA partners will still have a small consolation: The Pax Guarantee to be provided by the State will start clicking during this quarter-time activities at the New Airport!
Last edited by mafaky; Sep 15, 2018 at 11:27 pm
Sep 15, 2018, 5:46 am
#938
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Amsterdam / Istanbul
Posts: 43
Protests are continueing. There are supposedly over 400 arrests. Workers are threatened to quit their jobs. It has become a terrible and nasty situation.
Sep 15, 2018, 6:01 am
#939
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SFO, BRU, ADB
Programs: UA Gold, BA Silver, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 707
And now they are going to blame the opening delays on the workers 
Sep 15, 2018, 6:03 am
#940
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: M&S, Radisson
Posts: 758
According to a report in February, 400 workers were killed during construction (albeit the Turkish government acknowledges only 27 deaths). And working conditions apparently continue to deteriorate. One report (Ahval) I read says the strike was triggered by an acccident injuring 17 people, with an accident earlier this week severely injuring 2.
Sep 15, 2018, 6:12 am
#941
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Amsterdam / Istanbul
Posts: 43
Arguably, it was a terrible and nasty situation even before.
According to a report in February, 400 workers were killed during construction (albeit the Turkish government acknowledges only 27 deaths). And working conditions apparently continue to deteriorate. One report (Ahval) I read says the strike was triggered by an acccident injuring 17 people, with an accident earlier this week severely injuring 2.
According to a report in February, 400 workers were killed during construction (albeit the Turkish government acknowledges only 27 deaths). And working conditions apparently continue to deteriorate. One report (Ahval) I read says the strike was triggered by an acccident injuring 17 people, with an accident earlier this week severely injuring 2.
Sep 15, 2018, 8:03 pm
#942
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 27
TK New Airport Lounge
Given that Istanbul New Airport is about to open late next month...Does anyone have any idea of what the new flagship Lounge Istanbul will look like?
I've enjoyed the food, drink, and entertainment at the current one. However, I've found it quite chaotic. Also, I've found finding seating and a place to put my carry on items there to be quite difficult during the times I've transited through Istanbul. So more seating/storage would be nice in a new lounge.
I've enjoyed the food, drink, and entertainment at the current one. However, I've found it quite chaotic. Also, I've found finding seating and a place to put my carry on items there to be quite difficult during the times I've transited through Istanbul. So more seating/storage would be nice in a new lounge.
Sep 16, 2018, 12:21 am
#943
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 80
The food preparation is minimal as they are mostly looked out of the airport and only heated up to be served.
Sep 16, 2018, 6:23 am
#944
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,053
I wish we could get more clarity. I have a mid-November itinerary that I would gladly book on TK, but not if there is a chance of the flights going through the new airport!
Other people can have the "Try out the new and shiny". I'll stick with the tried and true...
Other people can have the "Try out the new and shiny". I'll stick with the tried and true...
Sep 16, 2018, 6:57 am
#945
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: ExecutiveClub GGL/CCR MileagePlus 1K FLyingBlue GOld
Posts: 231
I will report here