british airways dont even go to the smaller resorts in the summer so there is no way they are gonna go in the winter. it is still possible to go by british airways and turkish airlines but you change at istanbul for izmir then get the bus.

Whilst I support your petition I have to say its down to population and whilst the Fethiye/Mugla/Marmaris region want winter flights unless the population hits a certain level it isnt going to happen. It doesent matter if you get 2 million signatures it matters as to how many aircraft a company can run out of the airport per month. The whole population of the area in winter is less than 200 thousand wheras the winter population of the Antalya area is over 2 million so thats why its not viable.

Bryn,

I think you may have missed the point of this topic, It is not directed at the "Population" but the home owners and the potential tourism for the other areas of Turkey.

Antalya has had 100% of the tourism market for the past few years, and more............. I have also been told from very reliable sources, that Antalya strongly object to Dalaman or any other airport opening in the winter, as it may damage their winter tourism industry.

I certainly dont think this is the case, as home owners in other areas, would still prefer to fly via Istanbul, to Dalaman or Bodrum than take the long journey from Antalya by road.

There are many areas of Turkey that could provide tourism during the winter, many people are not aware that within an hour of the beach resorts, there are ski resorts during the winter months, that can rival and are certainly a lot cheaper than the European resorts.

Also what makes people go on holiday during the winter months ? Avoiding the long cold winters of Britain and other European countries. Well Turkey certainly has better weather than Britain, and can compete with the likes of Spain, Portugal, Malta and Cyprus.

Antalya has nothing to be afraid of, most people that want these flights, would be heading off to their own favourite resort, and a bit of healthty competition is nothing ts be afraid of.

Joanne

Dalaman has just finished its extra building capacity..... why? It is the most popular summer airport and will have designs on winter trade. I see your point Bryn but Turkey will try to get extra trade not dilute its existing one. The only way to do this is to expand the regional airports.
Marmaris chamber of commerce has long wanted to extend the season and has lobbied the government. As the no1 tourist area it does have plenty of clout. Hopefully the work Jo does will help the situation....Nice pic in the paper Jo

I found your petition while trying to get info re flights to Antalya vs. flights
to Instanbul/Dalaman. It is our first time wanting to get to our Calis apt.out of season and also to advise any guests which is the best route to go. (Both options seem long and expensive). I enquired while in Turkey a
few weeks ago and was told that "Easyjet" are going to start doing cheap flights to Dalaman. Does anyone know anything about this?

HI Arkadas,lar
It would be fab if easy-jet or any other low cost airline would start winter flights to Dalaman , I'm sure they would be well patronised , looking forward to further updates on this subject . Wee-john

Just to let you know that flythomascook.com have flights to Dalaman until the 21st November.

I have been in touch with Easy Jet, and they say they have no intention of flying to Turkey, at any time of the year.

They basically say that the flight is too long and that they are not in the EU.

It is very frustrating, that many companies do not even bother to reply to my emails, and I have to be honest, I have been very disappointed with the attitude of the Ministry of Tourism for Turkey, based in the UK, I have eventually had 1 reply from them, suggestion I email the airlines or do I intend chartering my own flights?

We normally fly with Turkish airlines during the winter months, they do provide a good service, but it is a long day with connecting flights, also what prices you see on their web site, are not what you pay. Its normally about £240 - £270 for a flight from Heathrow - Istanbul - Dalaman.

It is good news that Thomas Cook are flying later in the season, I have also emailed them, but "still" have not had a reply.

ITs disappointing but keep up the good work Jo.

I have received an email from a company that is going to operate flights through the winter, at the moment they are just finalising all the details, and I will have more information in 7 - 14 days, when they ring me back.

Basically this is what they plan to operate

Gatwick/Dalaman/Gatwick 04/11
Gatwick/Dalaman/Gatwick 11/11
Gatwick/Dalaman/Gatwick 23/12
Gatwick/Dalaman/Gatwick 30/12
Gatwick/Dalaman/Gatwick 06/01/06
Gatwick/Dalaman/Gatwick 25/3/05-29/4/05

We are also possibly looking to operate extra flights for Feb/Early march and
there is also a possibility of operating a Manchester flights with similar
dates.

We will be using Onur air A321 219 seat aircraft, with special long stays and
oneways for the
28/10 8wks GBP£99.00 o/w £49 1/2wks £149 + tax/fuel
4/11 7wks GBP99.00 return oneway GBP49 + tax/fuel
04/11 1wk £149
11/11 6wks GBP99.00 return oneway GBP49 + tax/fuel

When I get more information, I will let you all know, hopefully everyone will support this company who is putting on these flights, as it is a risk for any company to supply an additional route, that has not been running before, and as we have all been signing the petition to say we want these flights, hopefully we can fill them.

Hey thats great news - Well done jo!! You must be well happy after all the hard work you have put in!

Do you reckon ill be able to persuade jimmy into a winter trip?? lol Got to be worth a go!!

LA

It seems on company is already up and running for this year.

http://www.buyaflight.co.uk/

Has flights on 20th and 27th December from Gatwick - 7 and 14 nights.

Worth a look.

Stoop

Don't see Dalaman but see the normal Antalya flights.

John

John,

Dalaman is definately there. Try again or maybe this link will work:

CLICK HERE

Stoop

I think you will find these are the same flights, as when I checked the link they show 23rd and 30th December, not the dates you stated. But you are right Snoop the link does take you to a Dalaman flight.

Just signed the petition.Probably wouldn`t be going this winter but you never know,so thought i`d add my small voice to the cause.
Well done Joanne you must be well chuffed with what you have accomplished.

Go Jo Go Jo your rockin don`t slow.

ive booked 6 seats on this flight on 23rd dec, 3 for 1 week and 3 for 2 weeks but got it cheaper than buy a flight, through the flightclub they beat other prices, so hopefully others will book as i dont want this flight cancelled, last year the plane was full going out for new year via istanbul, so im sure over xmas and new year their flight will be popular

The petition is still running, we have a long way to go, I am trying to get flights to ALL the airports.

The company that is going to operate a weekly winter flight to Dalaman, from both Gatwick and Manchester is http://www.h4u.co.uk telephone 0870 444 2840.

If you go on the web site, you will see that the flights have been entered on the system, but for anyone that is looking to book, one way tickets, returns starting in Turkey, long stays could you please ring KAREN, who is the general manager. Contact number is still 0870 444 2840 She knows the prices of all the flights, and will be able to book them for you.

There are several other companies offering these flight seats, but they have to buy them from http://www.h4u.co.uk including http://www.customflights.co.uk who were the first to contact me, but they only have a limited number of seats, and dates that they are flying on. If you book through them, Jeremy has been very helpful, 0870 062 6000

I would suggest that anyone that is planning on booking the Xmas and New Year flights, you should do it as soon as possible, as there is a huge interest in these dates.

Also it was suggested that Turkish Passport holders could not travel on this charter flight. Karen has assured me that Turkish Passport holders can travel on this flight, just as long as they have the correct paperwork and visas.

Hopefully these flights will do well, and eveyone will support these flights, it is hoped that if they do well this year, they may look at taking on another route, such as Bodrum. I will keep my fingers crossed. They are also planning to run a coach transfer service to other resorts, details on the web site.

Can you all let the company you book your flights with, know that you are supporting the petition and I am trying to pass the information on to everyone.

Joanne

Another update.

The manager of Custom Flights has been on the phone this afternoon. a .

Firstly he wants to set up a system, that anyone that has and is supporting the petition will receive a discount. This will be done with a password, but will take a few weeks before they get back to me on this. A very nice gesture.

Secondly, the reason he wants to leave it a few more weeks, is that he is looking into the possibility of flights to Bodrum airport. It is only in the planning stages, and they are still looking at costings, departure aiports, what day they would fly etc. Also if it only flew so many weeks through the winter rather than weekly.

Nothing is set in stone, so please dont get on the phones trying to book these flights, as soon as they are available, if they become available I will let you know. As its all in the planning stages, but I am very pleased they are looking at flights into Bodrum, I had sent them all the comments from everyone that had contacted me about flights. That has been a lot of people.

The demand is there.