Turkish Aviation May 2018

TK787 · Mon Apr 30, 2018 7:58 pm

Hello there Turkish Aviation fans,

About to leave the house for TK2, JFK-IST.
Looks like TC-JJT, 4 yrs old 77W, “CUKUROVA” will be taking us over the Atlantic today.
I’ll try to get online and tell you about the load once in the air.

Not a whole lot to report this month, please continue with your views, news, photos, rumors and good old sense of humor. Please refrain from personal attacks and political stuff. Thank you.

Safe travels and Happy Landings to all.
You can find last months thread here: viewtopic.php?p=20361397#p20361397

BOEING777EK · Mon Apr 30, 2018 9:04 pm

Did TK finalise the A350 order yet?

JUANTRIPPEJR · Mon Apr 30, 2018 9:39 pm

Re Africa, any news concerning regarding future flights to Banjul? B737-800? Routing? I'm surprised TK is not flying to Brazzaville, Pointe Noire and Malabo, yet...

mafaky · Tue May 01, 2018 10:12 am

In the light of the latest but unexpected resignation of Mr. Yusuf Akçayoğlu (the CEO of IGA Construction Co., from day number one) and some backstage rumors, also backed up by some solid developments that I know of (but cannot openly declare here, due to business privacy contracts) it seems that INA's opening will still be done on 29th October 2018 (on a symbolic basis; more of a ribbon-cutting ceremony) but the actual and fully operational status will be declared during the first half of 2019. My two predictions for the 2019 dates are: 1) 25th March 2019 (the beginning of S19 timetable), 2) 29th May 2019 (566th anniversary of the Ottoman's takeover of the Constantinople, or rather Istanbul, as later re-named...)

You may also refer to the indicated unconfirmed news (only in Turkish):

https://www.airlinehaber.com/yeni-haval ... yuk-iddia/

TK105 · Tue May 01, 2018 11:15 am

mafaky wrote:
it seems that INA's opening will still be done on 29th October 2018 (on a symbolic basis; more of a ribbon-cutting ceremony) but the actual and fully operational status will be declared during the first half of 2019.

So my insiders prediction from 2 years back is becoming a reality. He said 2 years back that actual operation would be june 2019.

Blerg · Tue May 01, 2018 12:14 pm

flydubai increases SAW from 7 to 10 weekly from June to September.

leftyboarder · Tue May 01, 2018 1:57 pm

Even if a postponement is confirmed internally, do not expect it to be declared until at least after the upcoming elections. But what is the point of a ribbon cutting ceremony for an airport? That could be done today if wanted.

globetrotter94 · Tue May 01, 2018 2:19 pm

BOEING777EK wrote:
Did TK finalise the A350 order yet?

Think so. There was even a news release about confirmation with RR as engine suppliers?

OA260 · Tue May 01, 2018 5:17 pm

Thanks for a new thread the count down is on will be interesting to see how it all pans out.

mafaky · Tue May 01, 2018 6:15 pm

globetrotter94 wrote:
BOEING777EK wrote:
Did TK finalise the A350 order yet?

Think so. There was even a news release about confirmation with RR as engine suppliers?

The powerplants have to be RR for the A350, anyway!

mafaky · Tue May 01, 2018 6:23 pm

TK105 wrote:
mafaky wrote:
it seems that INA's opening will still be done on 29th October 2018 (on a symbolic basis; more of a ribbon-cutting ceremony) but the actual and fully operational status will be declared during the first half of 2019.

So my insiders prediction from 2 years back is becoming a reality. He said 2 years back that actual operation would be june 2019.

Well, honestly: I had more believed to your hearings, 2 years ago, than the others'. However, even "whispering" these facts in Forums or the like, is a matter of sin, evilness & guilt, if not betraying the country. You can look at the threads in a Turkish Forum: wowturkey.com, relative threads under "Transportation" section. Even today the believers or supporters saying that delays will be probable, are heavily accused by the ruling fanatics. If you have time & patience pls. go ahead with this thread (indicated below...) and read only the last 20-25 pages: you will perfectly understand the "atmosphere" over there!!!

Pls. refer to: http://wowturkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14464

Any contributions to wowturkey, will be wellcomed. The good thing is that you can even post messages as a "guest". :lol:

mafaky · Tue May 01, 2018 6:56 pm

leftyboarder wrote:
Even if a postponement is confirmed internally, do not expect it to be declared until at least after the upcoming elections. But what is the point of a ribbon cutting ceremony for an airport? That could be done today if wanted.

1) Totally agree with you, for the first comment.
2) Second part (question): Well this has got only to do only with the politics and politician's populistic strategies. But as the Presidential & Parliament Elections have been much brought forward, there's even no reason for a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 29th from that point view. Better to save the money! The only significance of the said day is that it's the 95th anniversary of the Turkish Republic's foundation.

TK787 · Tue May 01, 2018 10:36 pm

Hello there, for some reason this page could not load on board TK2. Few fun facts from the flight:
-TK introduced handing out nuts, peanuts instead of hazelnuts, to all Y pax before the first meal.
-We had a very excited and fun captain doing all the announcements on this flight

-A total full flight !! 349 pax
-14 FA's and 3 pilots. FA's were struggling to keep up. I mean lets talk about the second meal. It starts exactly 2 hours before landing. By the time they clear everything, we were 40 min. from landing and FAs were busy until touchdown and did not look happy.
-Again, at the baggage carousel not a whole lot of pax getting off in IST. Mostly transfer pax. TK2 shared the same luggage carousel with 3 other TK flights and there was ample space on the belt. There were big groups of Orthodox Jews on the flight.
-IST was a zoo. Shortage of luggage carts, big lines at Duty Free/Passport Control/Transfer even the actual EXIT at the Customs.

Flightsimboy · Wed May 02, 2018 12:39 am

TK787 wrote:
Hello there, for some reason this page could not load on board TK2. Few fun facts from the flight:
-TK introduced handing out nuts, peanuts instead of hazelnuts, to all Y pax before the first meal.

-14 FA's and 3 pilots. FA's were struggling to keep up. I mean lets talk about the second meal. It starts exactly 2 hours before landing. By the time they clear everything, we were 40 min. from landing and FAs were busy until touchdown and did not look happy. .

The Turkish delight served in those little open TK themed wrappers were so nice. Such a distinctively Turkish touch to it. Alas, they are no more. Also the smoked Salmon appetizers replaced by hummus.

I think like most flights it depends on the purser. When he came on the PA system at the start of the flight TK 18 to YYZ you could tell he was all business. The FAs were really on their feet even more because lunch had to be delayed due to heavy turbulence an hour after departing IST. Poor things trying to break a slight smile while rushing to get the meal service over with. And yes trays were still being cleared some 40 mins out. I wish I had approached an FA on the flight and told her how her energy did not waver even after 10 hours. Friendly, energetic. Someone every TK FA should be trained by

You can tell i've flown TK quite a bit :thumbsup:

And yes TK787, TC-JJT flew me to IST on one of my trips. Are you intending to get the Gemini 1:200 scale model?

globetrotter94 · Wed May 02, 2018 2:36 am

mafaky wrote:
globetrotter94 wrote:
BOEING777EK wrote:
Did TK finalise the A350 order yet?

Think so. There was even a news release about confirmation with RR as engine suppliers?

The powerplants have to be RR for the A350, anyway!

Indeed. So it is good that they balanced it out by selecting GEnx for their 789s. Also a cautious decision with all the problems the T1000s have been having. Plus, I prefer the startup sound of the GEnxs over the T1000s anyway!

TK787 · Wed May 02, 2018 11:01 am

Flightsimboy wrote:
And yes TK787, TC-JJT flew me to IST on one of my trips. Are you intending to get the Gemini 1:200 scale model?

I am a 1:500 Herpa kinda guy

That's the only size I collect, how about you?

Flightsimboy · Wed May 02, 2018 12:16 pm

TK787 wrote:
Flightsimboy wrote:
And yes TK787, TC-JJT flew me to IST on one of my trips. Are you intending to get the Gemini 1:200 scale model?

I am a 1:500 Herpa kinda guy
That's the only size I collect, how about you?

Nothing but 1:200

. Waiting for a good price.

slickvik · Thu May 03, 2018 4:13 am

I’m flying from IST November 4. Interested to see if new airport really opens.

mafaky · Thu May 03, 2018 5:15 am

slickvik wrote:
I’m flying from IST November 4. Interested to see if new airport really opens.

Not very likely! :eek:

Blerg · Thu May 03, 2018 7:27 pm

Seems like there is crazy demand from Turkey for Belgrade. Today alone TK operated four A321s, three from IST and one from ESB. I can only imagine what will happen later this month.

TK787 · Fri May 04, 2018 5:43 am

Blerg wrote:
Seems like there is crazy demand from Turkey for Belgrade. Today alone TK operated four A321s, three from IST and one from ESB. I can only imagine what will happen later this month.

Speaking of BEG; few friends going there for some basketball game later this month. From what I understand they bought tix from AirSerbia, but later they learn that they will be flying AtlasGlobal.

Blerg · Fri May 04, 2018 5:51 pm

TK787 wrote:
Blerg wrote:
Seems like there is crazy demand from Turkey for Belgrade. Today alone TK operated four A321s, three from IST and one from ESB. I can only imagine what will happen later this month.

Speaking of BEG; few friends going there for some basketball game later this month. From what I understand they bought tix from AirSerbia, but later they learn that they will be flying AtlasGlobal.

Haha not just any game, Euroleague Final Four.

Given that Fenerbahce made it there are a lot of extra flights scheduled to take place. Serbian government even allowed TK to operate widebodies.

They probably bought it on JU code-share. KK replaced JU last year on the route.

Turkish350XWB · Sat May 05, 2018 11:41 am

mafaky wrote:
TK105 wrote:
Well, honestly: I had more believed to your hearings, 2 years ago, than the others'. However, even "whispering" these facts in Forums or the like, is a matter of sin, evilness & guilt, if not betraying the country. You can look at the threads in a Turkish Forum: wowturkey.com, relative threads under "Transportation" section. Even today the believers or supporters saying that delays will be probable, are heavily accused by the ruling fanatics. If you have time & patience pls. go ahead with this thread (indicated below...) and read only the last 20-25 pages: you will perfectly understand the "atmosphere" over there!!!

Pls. refer to: http://wowturkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14464

Any contributions to wowturkey, will be wellcomed. The good thing is that you can even post messages as a "guest".

I am also regularly looking into this forum and I am very much sharing your opinion. They try to dominate discussion and opinion making with their harsh, brutal and respectless discussion "culture". It's a shame...

cmoltay · Sun May 06, 2018 7:51 pm

mafaky wrote:
TK105 wrote:
mafaky wrote:
it seems that INA's opening will still be done on 29th October 2018 (on a symbolic basis; more of a ribbon-cutting ceremony) but the actual and fully operational status will be declared during the first half of 2019.

So my insiders prediction from 2 years back is becoming a reality. He said 2 years back that actual operation would be june 2019.

Well, honestly: I had more believed to your hearings, 2 years ago, than the others'. However, even "whispering" these facts in Forums or the like, is a matter of sin, evilness & guilt, if not betraying the country. You can look at the threads in a Turkish Forum: wowturkey.com, relative threads under "Transportation" section. Even today the believers or supporters saying that delays will be probable, are heavily accused by the ruling fanatics. If you have time & patience pls. go ahead with this thread (indicated below...) and read only the last 20-25 pages: you will perfectly understand the "atmosphere" over there!!!

Pls. refer to: http://wowturkey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14464

Any contributions to wowturkey, will be wellcomed. The good thing is that you can even post messages as a "guest".

Lost my patience with them 8-9 yrs. ago, sorry...

TK787 · Mon May 07, 2018 11:17 am

DHMI April numbers are out and impressive:
Percentage increase in pax numbers;

Airport.....DOM.....INT.....TOTAL....PAX
IST...........5%.........14%....11%........6 M
SAW........12%........13%.....12%......2.8M
ESB.........30%........25%....29%......1.5M

Here are International pax number increases at some other airports in April:
ADB 10%, AYT 28%, Gazipasa 36%, DLM 57%, BJV 94%

stylo777 · Mon May 07, 2018 1:35 pm

Increase to previous month or year-on-year basis?
DLM and BJV certainly look very impressive!

TK787 · Mon May 07, 2018 1:40 pm

stylo777 wrote:
Increase to previous month or year-on-year basis?
DLM and BJV certainly look very impressive!

If I understand correctly, these numbers are compared to last year April's numbers. DLM (115,208), BJV (41,294) numbers are small but still...

Turkish350XWB · Mon May 07, 2018 9:27 pm

12 months data
IST: 67.034.875 (+3.307.427)
SAW: 32.923.995 (+1.538.154)
Istanbul toplam: 99.958.870

LAXintl · Mon May 07, 2018 9:32 pm

TK picks up a new code-share partner. Uzbekistan Airways will codeshare on TK flights to JFK, LAX and ORD via IST starting in June.

Its interesting to note that former TK chief commercial officer is now an advisor to Uzbekistan and behind some of their positive changes.

globetrotter94 · Tue May 08, 2018 6:57 am

LAXintl wrote:
TK picks up a new code-share partner. Uzbekistan Airways will codeshare on TK flights to JFK, LAX and ORD via IST starting in June.

Its interesting to note that former TK chief commercial officer is now an advisor to Uzbekistan and behind some of their positive changes.

LAX and ORD I can understand, but I was under the impression that HY operates some odd routing to JFK like TAS-RIX-JFK? Wouldn't codesharing with TK further cut into this route?

stylo777 · Tue May 08, 2018 12:38 pm

Turkish350XWB wrote:
12 months data
IST: 67.034.875 (+3.307.427)
SAW: 32.923.995 (+1.538.154)
Istanbul toplam: 99.958.870

check your figures, DHMI is reporting:
IST: 64'106'014
SAW: 31'386'038

otherwise 67mio would catapult IST in front of FRA to number 4 in Europe. FRA had 64,500,386 in 2017.
and SAW in front of ORY...

LAXintl · Tue May 08, 2018 4:18 pm

ACI Europe list fastest growth airports in Q1.

globetrotter94 wrote:
LAXintl wrote:
TK picks up a new code-share partner. Uzbekistan Airways will codeshare on TK flights to JFK, LAX and ORD via IST starting in June.

Its interesting to note that former TK chief commercial officer is now an advisor to Uzbekistan and behind some of their positive changes.

LAX and ORD I can understand, but I was under the impression that HY operates some odd routing to JFK like TAS-RIX-JFK? Wouldn't codesharing with TK further cut into this route?

HY now ops nonstop TAS-JFK these days on their new 787s, but its only 2x weekly.

TK codeshare allows for added frequency and market presence across the whole week.

Turkish350XWB · Tue May 08, 2018 5:07 pm

stylo777 wrote:
Turkish350XWB wrote:
12 months data
IST: 67.034.875 (+3.307.427)
SAW: 32.923.995 (+1.538.154)
Istanbul toplam: 99.958.870

check your figures, DHMI is reporting:
IST: 64'106'014
SAW: 31'386'038

otherwise 67mio would catapult IST in front of FRA to number 4 in Europe. FRA had 64,500,386 in 2017.
and SAW in front of ORY...

They are correct (12 months data means 05/2017 - 04/2018, you mean 01/2017 - 12/2017)

stylo777 · Tue May 08, 2018 6:43 pm

Turkish350XWB wrote:
stylo777 wrote:
Turkish350XWB wrote:
12 months data
IST: 67.034.875 (+3.307.427)
SAW: 32.923.995 (+1.538.154)
Istanbul toplam: 99.958.870

check your figures, DHMI is reporting:
IST: 64'106'014
SAW: 31'386'038

otherwise 67mio would catapult IST in front of FRA to number 4 in Europe. FRA had 64,500,386 in 2017.
and SAW in front of ORY...

They are correct (12 months data means 05/2017 - 04/2018, you mean 01/2017 - 12/2017)

My bad, haven't read it carefully - sorry for that!

mafaky · Sun May 13, 2018 7:22 pm

Air Asiana’s (OZ) 333 (HL-7792) collided on ground with TK’s TC-JMM 321 while taxing on the apron, before takeoff for Seoul ICN. HL-7792’s right wing ripped thru TK TC-JMM’s vertical stabilizer, while the TK frame was approaching to dock the jetway. Both aircraft received substantial damaged and are grounded. Luckily: no casualties...

See: 1) https://www.airlinehaber.com/air-asiana ... ini-bicti/

2) https://www.airlinehaber.com/air-asiana ... yle-bicti/

3) http://www.airporthaber.com/thy-haberle ... arpti.html

TK787 · Sun May 13, 2018 10:47 pm

Ouch!!!.
"Please remain seated with your seat belts buckled until the aircraft comes to a complete and final stop".

globetrotter94 · Sun May 13, 2018 11:07 pm

mafaky wrote:
Air Asiana’s (OZ) 333 (HL-7792) collided on ground with TK’s TC-JMM 321 while taxing on the apron, before takeoff for Seoul ICN. HL-7792’s right wing ripped thru TK TC-JMM’s vertical stabilizer, while the TK frame was approaching to dock the jetway. Both aircraft received substantial damaged and are grounded. Luckily: no casualties...

See: 1) https://www.airlinehaber.com/air-asiana ... ini-bicti/

2) https://www.airlinehaber.com/air-asiana ... yle-bicti/

3) http://www.airporthaber.com/thy-haberle ... arpti.html

I do not read Turkish (more than extremely basic phrases), so any word on where the fault lies? Asiana pilots? TK pilots? ATC?

mafaky · Mon May 14, 2018 12:23 am

Well, the first impression is that the fault is mainly on the GTC (Ground Traffic Control...). The Asiana should have put on hold as the TK was still not on the full/final parking position (=docked to the jetway). Maybe GTC failed to warn, maybe they did but Asiana didn't understand/respond... :roll:

However, there also are comments that the book rules say that the taxing airplane has to control and ensure its wingtips on both sides and Asiana's FO is more guilty.

TK craft is an almost 12 yo 321, taken over from Kingfisher; on operational lease.

globetrotter94 · Mon May 14, 2018 3:44 am

mafaky wrote:
Maybe GTC failed to warn, maybe they did but Asiana didn't understand/respond...

However, there also are comments that the book rules say that the taxing airplane has to control and ensure its wingtips on both sides and Asiana's FO is more guilty.

If so, this would not be the first time. Asiana/Korean Air pilots have a long, checkered history of disregarding instructions and bad cockpit culture in general.

TK105 · Mon May 14, 2018 3:18 pm

Here is the latest update from my insider at IGA (without any comments from me):
1. IGA stopped all activities at 3rd runway in order to finish project on time. All teams are working at 1st, 2nd runways, taxiways and terminal building.
2. Project can be finished earliest May19 with 2 runways in a full operational way.
3. Concessionaire ran out of money. At least 1B urgently needed (I do not know if TL or USD, not mentioned). But banks are refusing to lend more money at this stage. If not solved quickly, point 2 may delay accordingly.
4. How former CEO of IGA quit is an incredible story (Quentin Tarantino style) which I'm not able to write it here.
5. Big photo of President Erdogan is removed from project entrance which gives the impression that his name will not be used for naming IGA.
6. It is speculated that if Mr. Erdogan looses the upcoming elections, TAV may take over the project as concessionaire.

cmoltay · Mon May 14, 2018 5:43 pm

TK105 wrote:
Here is the latest update from my insider at IGA (without any comments from me):

2. Project can be finished earliest May19 with 2 runways in a full operational way.

19 May is 5 days from now or 370 days from now?

leftyboarder · Mon May 14, 2018 7:12 pm

I think May19 means May of 2019 here, not May 19th

imthedreamliner · Mon May 14, 2018 7:37 pm

Does anyone know if SAW will receive widebodies and flights beyond the reach of narrowbodies will start ?

If no, then we are gonna have to go all the way to the 3rd airport for this. All Turkish citizens pretty well know it is not possible to do that. Waaay outside the city.

globetrotter94 · Mon May 14, 2018 8:04 pm

TK105 wrote:
Here is the latest update from my insider at IGA (without any comments from me):
1. IGA stopped all activities at 3rd runway in order to finish project on time. All teams are working at 1st, 2nd runways, taxiways and terminal building.
2. Project can be finished earliest May19 with 2 runways in a full operational way.
3. Concessionaire ran out of money. At least 1B urgently needed (I do not know if TL or USD, not mentioned). But banks are refusing to lend more money at this stage. If not solved quickly, point 2 may delay accordingly.
4. How former CEO of IGA quit is an incredible story (Quentin Tarantino style) which I'm not able to write it here.
5. Big photo of President Erdogan is removed from project entrance which gives the impression that his name will not be used for naming IGA.
6. It is speculated that if Mr. Erdogan looses the upcoming elections, TAV may take over the project as concessionaire.

I was under the impression that 1st runway was complete already--was this premature?

mafaky · Tue May 15, 2018 7:56 am

When you say "completely ready", this means readiness from the construction point of view, marking plus the installation of landing/takeoff lighting and similar hardware. So, it was... However, we still don't know about the landing instruments readiness (ILS, DVOR, etc.) and of course it has to be calibrated, tested and certified. Today (15th) the first ever airplane (one from the Civil Aviation Authority...) may be landing, for the very first time.

globetrotter94 · Tue May 15, 2018 4:53 pm

imthedreamliner wrote:
Does anyone know if SAW will receive widebodies and flights beyond the reach of narrowbodies will start ?

If no, then we are gonna have to go all the way to the 3rd airport for this. All Turkish citizens pretty well know it is not possible to do that. Waaay outside the city.

Well, given SAW's new runway and satellite terminal (I think?) I would think it would be the perfect candidate for long-haul. However, with TK being as conservatively-managed as it is, I'm not sure they would look favorably at an even more split-hub operation than they have in place now. On the other hand, maybe foreign airlines or the likes of Pegasus might be interested?

Plus, as we know, with the new generation of narrowbodies (e.g. A321LR) being phased in, even the definition of "reach of narrowbodies" is about to undergo a step-change, so I think multiple avenues through which SAW could expand in terms of medium- or long-haul.

TK787 · Tue May 15, 2018 5:27 pm

Did a quick trip between SAW and DLM on Pegasus and here are few notes:
-Just amazing how many people Pegasus can fit in a single aisle aircraft

55 minute flight time not even close to be enough time for even beverage service for all those.
-Both legs, on 4 yrs old A320 and 10 yrs old 738 looked in pretty bad shape. OK on time performance.
-Seems like TK gave up on SAW-DLM during most of the year, only one daily compared to many from Pegasus. Bought my ticket 2 hrs before flight and it was $121 RT and I guess TK do not want to compete at those levels.
-New DLM can not open fast enough, it was very busy at DLM. The new terminal looks almost finished.

mict · Tue May 15, 2018 5:34 pm

imthedreamliner wrote:
Does anyone know if SAW will receive widebodies and flights beyond the reach of narrowbodies will start ?

If no, then we are gonna have to go all the way to the 3rd airport for this. All Turkish citizens pretty well know it is not possible to do that. Waaay outside the city.

I believe SAW will start receiving QR's 787 soon.

TK787 · Thu May 17, 2018 7:26 pm

Someone was asking recently about this:
TK to start IST-Dakar-Banjul on Nov26, 2 x Weekly; Mondays and Fridays.
I know at least one person in NYC really looking forward to these flights

TK105 · Fri May 18, 2018 7:32 pm

In the latest Investor Presentation of TK, following interesting cities are listed in the wish list for near future (together with a long list of other cities):

Poland - Krakow
France - Nantes
Mexico - Mexico City

However there is still no sign about SYD & MEL.

Who is online

Popular Searches On Airliners.net