Larnaca with many Ercan stamps in passport

[zcacmxi]

As usual we've booked with Turkish Airlines from London to Ercan return with a few days in Istanbul on the outbound.

We're nervous about Istanbul now, and Turkish Airlines won't assist or change it and being unhelpful.

We are British Passport holders, and always fly in to Ercan so our passports are full of Ercan stamps.

We're planning to book new tickets directly in to Larnaca with another airline.

Will we experience any issues at Larnaca either in or out due to the many Ercan stamps in our British Passports?

[Bert]

No why would you we use both and never had any issues

[zcacmxi]

I did a Google search and there were various posts stating get visa stamped on a piece of paper, or it may cause issues, etc...

We've never done that, so our passports are full of Ercan stamps.

So we're OK to fly in with Monarch to Larnaca, and show our British Passports that have at least a dozen Ercan in/out stamps without issues.

[brian24001]

No problem at all.

Just don't be carrying any documentation regarding properties in the North.

[zcacmxi]

Thanks for your responses, reassuring to know that it should be fine... looking forward to 4.5hr direct flight now...

Turkish Airline insistent on not amending our booking that includes a 3 day stopover in Istanbul next week. No point going there if constantly in fear and avoided crowds, shopping centres, touristic areas etc....
However just found out even though my Fare Rules state no changes or cancellations, if I tell them not using them I should at least get a refund of the taxes paid?

[Cally]

I also have several Ercan stamps but now travel to Larnaca, no problems

[Hawkeye]

We fly both Ercan and Larnaca my passport has numerous Ercan stamps. Never had any problems at Larnaca or at the border.

[niceone]

pre 2004 when the ROC joined the EU they would not let you cross the border, that is likely to become the case in the future, however Britain is still in the EU and probably will be for the next two years so they cannot legally stop you crossing.
I understand peoples concerns re Istanbul, I personally will still travel there if the flight prices are good, I expect they will have stepped up security hugely
Have a good trip

[wanderer]

Crossed over a dozen times in the last month they can do nothing other than looking if they are chewing a wasp
I can understand about not staying in Istanbul why not book a flight istanbul ercan to tie into your uk outbound flight
they will then book you through as transit passengers so you stay airside
All airports and stations are soft targets
with IST & ERC the scanners at the entrance improve the safety IHO
Flew thew IST a week ago and back again soon
safe journey

[zcacmxi]

Why not book a flight Ist to Ecn and transit

I already have ticket LGW-IST-ECN and back ECN-IST-LGW all on the same booking. On the outbound, there is a 3 day stopover in istanbul. I've called them twice, spoken to at least half a dozen people and they will not make any changes. In fact, they confirmed that if I do not fly the IST-ECN on that booking, then they will cancel the rest of the booking which are our return flights ECN-IST-LGW.

If I book a separate ticket with them under a new booking IST-ECN it will be a new booking, and I'm unsure whether I could check in for both and transit. More importantly if the LGW-IST is delayed/late and I miss the connection it'd be my problem as it's a separate booking.

In summary Turkish Airlines have been unhelpful to say the least, so I want to cut my loses with them now and start again...

Thanks for all your help.

[niceone]

You did not say when you are going

I read this yesterday

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... s-11544188

[zcacmxi]

Yes thanks for posting, they have a news item on the Turkish Airlines website too.
Unfortunately, our flights are a couple of days after the 5th July, so we miss that temporary relaxation..

Anyway, you win some and lose some.. History now, looking forward to Cyprus next week.

[woodspeckie]

If you cancel the TA flights you will get the taxes back, if they make any changes to the flight you get the full amount refunded. I cancelled a flight for September a few days earlier I had an e-mail changing the time by 15 minutes and because of that I was refunded the full amount.

[Bonnie]

Have used TA for many years, no complaints. Flying back to UK with them next week. I have no concerns. In this current climate very few places in the world are safe & exempt from these tragic incidents, However when I return I am considering flying into Larnaca. I will be travelling alone & if I fly into Ercan with TA I'll have to change planes twice. If I fly into Larnaca with BA I'll only have to change planes once and in a country where I speak the language. Must admit especially after brexit I was having a wobble about the N/Cyprus stamps in my passport but more than that the residency stamp also. Guess there's is not too much they can do to me apart from delay & try to intimidate me ,just depends on who you come up against on the day.
Lyn

[wanderer]

I have booked a separate ist ecn flight when i checked in told them what i was doing they put the transit ticket on your luggage
you check in on line for the first flight you cant check in on line for for the 3 days latter flight as it only alows you to do that 24 hours before check in on line for the ist ecn as long as you have enough time to transit not a priblem

[chrisandsue]

Surprised that you say Turkish airlines won't help with your flight. They offered to delay or refund my husbands flight on Friday. He chose to fly as Istanbul is probably the most secure airport at the moment with all the extra security.

Sue