Cyprus Turkish Airlines

Updated on Nov 27, 2023

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YK KYV Commenced operations 1975 Key people Bilal EKŞİ Founded 1974 Fleet size 7		KYV AIRKIBRIS Destinations 18 Headquarters North Nicosia Ceased operations June 21, 2010

Hubs Ercan International Airport Hub Ercan International Airport

Cyprus Turkish Airlines Limited (Turkish: Kıbrıs Türk Hava Yolları Ltd. Şti. (KTHY)) was a Turkish Cypriot airline that served as the flag carrier for Northern Cyprus. Until its collapse in June 2010, Cyprus Turkish Airlines was the primary airline flying passengers to Northern Cyprus.

KTHY operated scheduled flights from Ercan, Northern Cyprus, to several cities in Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Western and Northern Europe. Its main base was Ercan Airport, in the Turkish sector of Nicosia.

The airline was de jure registered as a Turkish company in Istanbul. Day-to-day operations were run from Ercan. All flights to Europe were required to make a stop at an airport in mainland Turkey.

History

Cyprus Turkish Airlines was established on 4 December 1974 in Nicosia, with shares equally divided between Turkish Airlines and the Cash Development of the Consolidated Fund of the Assembly of the Turkish Cypriot Community (Konsolide Fonu Inkisaf Sandigi). The first scheduled flight took place on 3 February 1975.

In 2005, the Turkish government sold its shares to Ada Havayollari.

By June 2010, KTHY had incurred a $100 million debt, and its management decided to sell the company to avoid bankruptcy. The Turkish carrier Atlasjet was the only bidder.

On 21 June 2010, the airline announced via their website that they had ceased all operations until further notice. On 29 June 2010, it was announced that the airline had gone out of business.

Timeline

1975—First scheduled flight takes place on 3 February

1976—Airline begins leasing aircraft including DC-9s, Boeing 727-200s, and Boeing 720s

Sales office opens in Kyrenia

1977—Company registered in Istanbul, Turkey

1981—Scheduled flights to London begin

1990—Two 727-200s purchased

1991—Ground operations staff and cockpit / cabin crew employed

2000—Airline begins leasing two Boeing 737-800s long-term

2002—Upon completion of technical flight hours, all four 727-200s are grounded and sold

2004—Airline begins leasing three Airbus A321-200s long-term

In-flight magazine Caretta re-introduced

2006—ISO 9001-2000 Quality Control System certificate obtained in April

Departure Control System begins operating at Ercan International Airport

Ground services in Turkish airports contracted to HAVAŞ in December

2007—Cyprus Airport Services formed, following on from KTHY's partnership with HAVAŞ

2008—Male cabin staff added

Protocol for flights to Sweden, Norway, and Finland signed with DETUR

2009—First scheduled flight to Scandinavia on 7 February, to Helsinki

Charter flights to Italy, Romania, Slovenia, and Hungary planned

Airline receives delivery of one Airbus A320-200

Planned expansion of fleet to 12 aircraft by 2012 announced

2010—Operations cease on 21 June

Bankruptcy declared on 19 September

2014—Re-launch as Karpas Airlines planned for April

Fleet

As of 13 March 2010, the Cyprus Turkish Airlines fleet consisted of the following aircraft:

As of 14 March 2010, the average age of the fleet was 6.5 years. According to the Cyprus Observer, KTHY had planned to extend their fleet to 12 aircraft, to be in service by 2012 with the airline's updated livery.

Most of the fleet parked at Ercan overnight, but some aircraft overnighted at Turkish airports.

Former fleet

4 Boeing 727-200s

1 Boeing 737-200

1 Airbus A300B4 (leased from August to September 1996 from Holiday Air)

1 Airbus A310-200

1 Airbus A310-300

1 Airbus A320-231

2 Airbus A321-211s

1 McDonnell Douglas MD-81

1 McDonnell Douglas MD-82

2 McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30s

Travel classes

Cyprus Turkish Airlines offered only two classes:

Economy: This class was offered on all of the new aircraft. Full meal or snack service was provided free of charge. In-flight entertainment was not offered.

Economy Plus: This class was introduced after KTHY's elimination of Business and First Class services years earlier, due the grounding of its Airbus A310s and Boeing 727s.

Express check-in

In early 2008, the airline introduced an express check-in service at Ercan for passengers who were not checking any bags. There were separate express check-in counters for passengers with only carry-on luggage and for those without any luggage at all.

Frequent flyer programme

The airline had a "Special Passenger Programme for Frequent Flyers". Participants had priority for seat reservations and an extra baggage allowance, avoided waiting at check-in, and earned points redeemable for travel.

Personnel

All Cyprus Turkish Airlines flight attendants were women until the start of the 2008 summer schedule in July, when the airline began using male flight attendants as well.

Strike action

On 7 April 2010, starting at 6 a.m., Cyprus Turkish Airlines staff staged a six-hour wildcat strike that grounded all planes. Travellers to and from Northern Cyprus were distressed and severely inconvenienced. Communication from the airline to travelers about the delays was poor.

In-flight magazine

A monthly, in-flight magazine was produced for KTHY, titled Caretta. It generally contained information about Northern Cyprus such as cultural background, tourist destinations, and upcoming events. The magazine was also available on the airline's website.

Hijacking

On 30 March 1998, Mehmet Ertürk hijacked a KTHY flight from Ercan to Ankara, using a lighter designed to resemble a hand grenade. The plane landed safely in Ankara, and Ertürk was arrested.