Possible flight cancellation?

Old Oct 12th, 2015, 08:59 AM
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Possible flight cancellation?

We are deeply sadden with the recent violence in Ankara, our thoughts are with all the people of Turkey..
When we were planning this trip, we have had lots of help from all the Turkey experts here especially OC, thank you.
We are now set to be in Istanbul and Cappadocia from Nov 3 -14, flying in and out of Istanbul and will be catching a cruise back from Barcelona on the 18th. Our worries are the possibility of flight cancellation should the situation worsens. It’s difficult to predict what will happen in the coming weeks, but certainly do not want to be stuck and miss our cruise coming home!
Can anyone please comment?
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 09:25 AM
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Comment on what? Things are a bit uncertain. True. Nothing we can say will make it more or less so. It comes with travelling, so either go with the flow, adjust to changing conditions as best you can, or don't travel.
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 09:41 AM
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Thank you nukesafe, was hoping for personal experience for flight cancellation?
Are commercial flights still operating in and out of Syria for example?
Skyscanner shows no flights..
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 09:49 AM
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>>Are commercial flights still operating in and out of Syria for example?
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 09:58 AM
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Samuuell your vision of Turkey being like Syria would be like more vision of USA being like China or worse.

The worst you should expect would be heavy rains.
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 09:59 AM
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Not travelling to Syria, there is a civil war going on there?
Just worrying getting stuck if things worsens while we are in Turkey, maybe I am over thinking it from seeing all these terrible images out of Ankara!!
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 10:02 AM
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OC, oh no, not rain, we are raining right now in Victoria..flight cancellation highly unlikely?
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 10:11 AM
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If you are flying in and out of Istanbul, what does an attack in Ankara have to do with it? And any comparison to Syria is just silly.
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 10:56 AM
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When something ugly happens somewhere, there are always people who react by asking themselves how THEY will be impacted.

I would propose that these people wait for the victims to be cold, at least.
Out of respect.

Then we may ask ourselves how tourists can be impacted.
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 11:15 AM
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You want to see how the flights are operating at Istanbul airport? Just see it for yourself. It is an empirical info you can readily find it yourself on the web:
http://www.ataturkairport.com/en-EN/...lightinfo.aspx
OC's observation is right on about what most likely impacts flight schedule. My flight to Kayseri was delayed 4 hours due to heavy rain.
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 01:24 PM
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pariswat - no intent of disrespect for the victims.

some of us are just concern if a full scale civil war were to break out, how are we as tourists be impacted including flights out of the country...we deal with heavy rain all the time here on the West coast, I think we can handle that!

thank you for your comments!
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 01:43 PM
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How can we possibly answer your concerns, Samuell? We have absolutely no idea what would happen to your flight if a war broke out, a meteor struck, or if your taxi got a flat tire.

We understand you are anxious, but bleating your vague trepidations on a public forum and expecting specific answers is just not reasonable. I could tell you what we did when the Turks invaded Kyrenia in 1974, or what arrangements I made when my flight to Baltimore got cancelled due to fog, but how that might help you I have no idea. We simply dealt with the situations as they arose, using what information we had at the moment and dealt with the problem.
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 02:55 PM
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Ah yes, the 1974 "incident". I was in Turkey when that happened. Supposed to fly out of Istanbul aiport the day after it closed. They put a blackout in effect for the city, which seemed a total waste of time, any pilot who couldn't recognize Istanbul, even blacked out, shouldn't be flying!
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 04:16 PM
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Hi Nukesafe, I was hoping someone will say - look at, this thing is not going to escalate to the point that they will close airport and stop flight in the next couple of months...

Pretty desperate, am I?
I hear you and thank you.
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 04:38 PM
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Samuel,

I rarely think about it, but as you know, things can happen any place, any time. It is impossible to know for sure or even to be prepared for a lot.

However, for a start, do you have "for any cause" trip cancellation/delay insurance?
Second, it looks as if you are allowing a few days between Istanbul and Barcelona? That is good. Consider making it at least five days before your cruise. I don't think the airport will close, but if it did that would give you time to rent a car, hire a driver or take a bus to another airport that remained open. If you are seriously concerned, check out possible airports now. They might not have direct flights to Barcelona, but certainly you could get somewhere else where you could get a flight to Barcelona.

Third, if you missed your cruise. Since it is departing from Barcelona, it must be stopping some other places before heading across the Atlantic. You could probably pick it up at one of the other stops.

Worst comes to worst, you get to Barcelona or someplace else, but miss the cruise. Get a refund from your insurance. Enjoy Spain or elsewhere for another week or so. Fly home.
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 06:26 PM
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Samuel, I do think you are overthinking this. I returned from Turkey two weeks ago and I was stressed just like you before I left home. Turkey?!?! was the response my husband and I received when friends asked where we where going for vacation. I won't even repeat some of the misinformation that we were told and which I'd verify was incorrect via Goggle searches.

I felt very safe and I can't imagine that Turkey will be in a state of civil war and no air travel allowed in the next few weeks. Just take it day by day before you leave and see what happens. I am so happy we went on our trip.

Also be smart.

We walked down Istiklal one afternoon and noticed a group protesting and police in riot gear near Galatasaray. It seemed calm and I was very curious but in my head I could hear OC saying "Stay away from unruly groups, protests, chanting or flag waving people on the march." We turned around and after the events over the weekend the importance of OC's advice really hit me.

I registered with the U.S. State Dept. STEP program before leaving home and received an email warning to avoid a large peace rally in Istanbul. I think you are in Canada. Is there anything similar?

I hope you are able to have a nice trip!
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 06:53 PM
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I am sorry you are receiving so much grief. I think it is personally reasonable to see if other Fodorites have recently flown in or out of Turkey or if anyone has any information that might be helpful.

On a recent trip our flight was almost cancelled due to an airline strike. I was in a bit of a panic mode since my dates weren't very flexible and I had made all sorts of arrangements that would have been difficult to change. Another Fodorite was in the same boat and just exchanging information with him did help relieve my concerns slightly.

I have no great advice to give but hope you have a wonderful trip. Istanbul is an amazing place to visit. I feel awful for those poor victims in Ankara who just want peace.
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 07:06 PM
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When we went to Turkey a few years ago, we got all kinds of warnings - from people who had not been there. I was determined to go. Well, it is one of the most beautiful, fascinating, lovely countries you can imagine. I seriously doubt you will have any problems, but maybe knowing how many options you have will be calming.

I had a quick look at TA cruises from Barcelona on Nov 18. Is yours that long, 24 day, Oceana? If so, it looks fabulous. I can see why you would hate to miss that one!

If you did miss the cruise, you would be able to pick it up in at least four more places in Spain or Portugal. I would probably not try for the next stop, but fly ahead a stop or two and be waiting for the ship.

Even if you missed all that, it would be disappointing, but you could meet up with the ship in Burmuda and at least do the whole Caribbean part.

After the trip is over, please let us know. I hope it is fantastic.
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 08:05 PM
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For the last couple of months, we had emails, text msg, phone call from friends who did not lived in the same city, along with family and friends who do, telling us not to make this trip…all with good intentions.

My brother who lives in Taiwan said, chances are you will be fine – but if you are caught in the chaos, it would be your worst nightmare and ours…to be fair, we did have a few encouragement but pale in comparison.

Turkey has been pulling me for years – this is what I wanted but what if? What am I putting my family thru...when I learnt of this tragedy in Ankara, I can hear people are saying – what did I tell you?

I have had a lot of help in our planning here and tons of encouragement - I am sure you know how comforting this is, especially when you share your thoughts and apprehension …this forum and community is incredible, my friends and family just can’t be as objective as you are, as they(we) do not have the travel experience like some of you.

Canadian foreign affairs have a registration like STEP of the US..
I did give myself four nights in Barcelona in case of delay and am checking into road crossing to Greece, part of our trip is covered by insurance..

Your messages are clear and very helpful, thank you very much..
If you think of anything else…Please, appreciate all your kindness..
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Old Oct 12th, 2015, 10:36 PM
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Turkey is still a very popular holiday destination for people in Europe. Haven't been myself recently, but I know several people who took beach vacations there this summer.

Of course you do not travel to Syria; there is a civil war there. Do you not read the newsreports about people fleeing Syria? It does not have an impact on Istanbul. Advice from the Dutch government is to avoid the border area with Syria, and in the rest of the country to avoid political demonstrations. But there are lots of last minute holidays to Turkish resorts on travel websites at the moment; and plenty of people going there.

As for flying; now that the Russians are using long range missiles in Syria, airlines are avoiding flights over Iraq, Iran or Syria. But that should not impact your flights if you are not coming from that direction.

These friends who are advising you not to go; do they have any specific expertise in the area? Have they been to Turkey or do they have relatives living there? I wouldn't hesitate to visit Turkey, but the decision is yours.
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