Flight costs; Why so expensive?

Garythegeezer


Joined: 05/02/2007
Posts: 102

Message Posted:
05/02/2007 21:36

Hi,

We have been visiting TRNC since 2004 and each year the flights have steadily increased in cost, this year however they seemed to have lept through the roof!

I have been trying to book flights for 4 adults (our children are now classed as adults unfortunately) during the October UK school holidays, so far the prices have come in as,

Stansted to Ercan = £1173.20 CTA

Heathrow to Larnaca = £1374.40 Cyprus Airways

Heathrow to Larnaca = £1842.40 BA



Last year we paid £955 to Ercan, £218.20 less than this year!



I could fly 80% of the way to Australia for the price BA want to charge me to fly to Larnaca!



Rant over!!



Regards

Gtg

herindoors


Joined: 13/01/2007
Posts: 138

Message Posted:
05/02/2007 23:05

Can I also have a rant. We have been trying to fly from Manchester for Easter, but because of the Winter Timetable and limited flights prices are outrageous.

Have found reasonable flights with Monarch flying from Luton. Only problem is we live way up North. School holiday prices are killers.



My rant over!!!



Regards



Herindoors

sungoddess


Joined: 16/12/2006
Posts: 44

Message Posted:
06/02/2007 11:32

Owch! That seems a lot to me too! First of all, try these web sites and see if they can offer cheaper flights to TRNC:



http://www.gonorthcyprus.com

http://www.booknorthcyprus.com



For flights to the RoC, try XL airways, http://www.xl.com although they only fly to Larnaca on Weds and Sun.



Good luck!

kyreniachap



Joined: 16/12/2006
Posts: 56

Message Posted:
07/02/2007 20:43

There are some very interesting rumours about imminent alternative flights; a regular poster on the TRNC villa owner site says: "Sun Express ... will have available (they say in 3 days or less) summer flights for Stansted through Izmir to Ercan." Mind you, we've seen all these promises before and very little actually happen, so don't hold your breath!

Garythegeezer


Joined: 05/02/2007
Posts: 102

Message Posted:
07/02/2007 22:44

Hi Sungoddess,



Tried both links without success, the first says flight info not available until March 07 and the second say "unavailable"



I have found flights forjust over a grand with Monarch but the flight times, days and duration available dont suit us.

Looks like it is going to be CTA to Ercan, better get my credit card out



Regards

Gtg

butters


Joined: 27/12/2006
Posts: 60

Message Posted:
08/02/2007 01:56

Hi Gtg

Have you looked at Olympic Holidays I did see late September

Stanstead/Larnaca @ £266.

I Have some very good flights from thomascook.com for April one way only

£59 per person will sort return if and when!

regards

Mary

Cyprus Kathy


Joined: 05/02/2007
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
08/02/2007 13:08

One other thought - Smug Sister in London sent through this article link http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/essentials/article1317166.ece

about how sometimes a package deal can be cheaper than buying flights alone. The trick is to ring travel consolidators and ask for the inclusive tour (IT) rates, apparently, although it works best for long haul. Never done it myself, but may be worth a shot for North Cyprus flights, especially at a busy time of year.

Garythegeezer


Joined: 05/02/2007
Posts: 102

Message Posted:
09/02/2007 21:06

Hi all,



Ended up booking with CTA via a company called Transit Management Travel Ltd for the grand total of £1127. I used their website and found the same flights £46 pound cheaper than their email quote (?), not a lot I know but every penny helps

One other perk is that the outward leg shows as Business class for some reason, anyone have any experience of CTA business class? Does this mean they smile at you!

herindoors


Joined: 13/01/2007
Posts: 138

Message Posted:
10/02/2007 20:05

Hi Gary, we've just booked with Cyprus Airways, not CTA . Found these competive prices, although we're flying from the North not the South.

woofy


Joined: 07/02/2008
Posts: 15

Message Posted:
11/02/2008 11:04

Hi we just booked with a company called cyprus premier and it cost £700 for 2 adults and 1 child over 2years,manchester to ercan.

Try http://www.cypruspremier.com.

hope this is of some use.

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
11/02/2008 11:49

Try Ankara travel. (0090 392 8155668) we've always found them to be very good. Also have a look at easyjet. Gatwick to Paphos (which is a pain I know) in October for 2 people works out at under £100!

Karen

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
11/02/2008 11:50

sorry that last post should have read under £100 EACH.

Karen