Raining this morning – great !
By a careful bit of forward planning, I’d got myself a seat by one of the exits ( more money of course) with mega leg room.
This was my first time at the new international airport in Istanbul, only been open a few months, but reported by others to be very big, but with magnificent architecture. Right on both counts. IT’S HUGE !!!!!!!! In fact, it claims to be the biggest airport in the world.
There was the usual “dance of the planes” to get to North Cyprus. Because of the lack of international recognition (except by Turkey, naturally), you now have to get off the plane in Istanbul, wait some time in the transit area and then join an internal Turkish domestic flight into North Cyprus. Crazy ! Before, (ie a few years ago) Passport Control/Customs guys came on to the incoming plane, did their stuff and then the same plane flew on to Northern Cyprus.
Anyway, on advice, I left a couple of hours plus between flights, just in case of any cock ups. Gave me a chance to go airport sight seeing. Naturally enough, my outgoing plane was at the “opposite” wing to the incoming, so lots of walking. Indeed, what with Gatwick and Istanbul, I clocked up an impressive 9km + over the whole day.
Got to Ercan about 9PM. The place was heaving with people, as three planes arrived within 15 mins, so the somewhat inadequate car park was busting – new terminal building and related facilities already WIP for next year.
Turkish Airlines on this outward journey were very good – my first flight with them. Leaving Gatwick only 10 mins late and the flight into Ercan was only a few minutes behind schedule. Food/drink was good on both flights.
To bed, after a long day….