Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Have been looking at flights for next April and Turkish Airlines are coming out at a similar price to Easyjet, but we need the use of Special Assistance. I have been told it is very good at Istanbul but not sure what it's like at Ercan so any feedback would be very helpful.

I asked for special assist last month - it didn’t happen. Fortunately I was able to manage the steps and the walk - slowly. I would suggest that on the final leg you check with the cabin staff to ensure that it does. I know they do have lifts that can get you out of the aircraft

Thank you for the reply, is the walk very far?

My mother used to fly with TA until six years ago ( no longer with us)service was not a problem used to go wheelchair hunting at Ercan on departure at times but always found one hoist wagon onto the plane ok neighbors here fly Pegaus no problems just state on your booking

It all sounds like good advice to me, although I haven't reached the stage of needing assistance - yet

The idea of reminding the cabin crew on the final leg seems to be sound - preferably the cabin Manager/Manageress, i would say, because they can alert the ground crew in advance, and the sooner they get you off the 'plane, the sooner they can go home

In terms of Heathrow/Istanbul the walk is not far. I had to stop several times. Fortunately Ercan is only a small airport. If you wait for assist you will get through passport control quicker! There has to be an upside to everything:-)

Having used both Ercan and Larnaca whilst needing special assistance I say that both are very good. Where Larnaca has an advantage is that they have a passenger hoist that does not require you to be manually lifted, once fitted in the special harness you can be transported from your wheelchair directly into your airline seat. This has to be booked in advance as the airport only has one hoist. Their is also one at Gatwick but again must be booked in advance.


Details of the hoist are shown under the disability section on the airports website.


If you require any further information please feel free to contact me.

dennis

We have flown Heathrow-Istanbul-Ercan and back in June/July this year and last year. Ercan was brilliant with my wife who is wheelchair bound whilst traveling. The lift for wheelchair passengers met the plane at Ercan on arrival as soon as the plane stopped.No delays, whizzed through the airport with grace and courtesy.Just as good on return to Heathrow. I tried to email my thanks to Ercan but never received a reply.In fact I can no longer get an Ercan Airport site from the UK. Like others I advise you to tell the airline when you book, check your booking reflects your request and remind the cabin crew before you land that a wheelchair was booked to meet you. Ercan was top class, Ataturk Istanbul was OK,Heathrow is a bit of a lottery in that they can leave you hanging around and delay your progress considerably. So make sure anyone meeting you is aware. Do travel most of the people involved are caring, concerned and non patronisingly courteous. Good luck.

Came back yesterday. Assistance at Ercan very good (but had to get through the first level of security unaided) the TK desk is just inside - TK will not allow an assistance passenger an aisle seat has to be window ( thought I had one on way out). Transfers at Attaturk ok but you are left a bit in the dark about what is going on. Everything good at Heathrow. However I think will try to go Larnaca in future as Istanbul is such a faff.