[JAT]

Well people todays day was really a hard one. And interesting one at the same time.

I went with my mom to Jolly Tours in Belgrade, one of the most renowned travel agencies in SCG and they told us that Grand Blue Sky International as well anything else for Kuşadası on 19th July is booked already. Then they offerred us 20th July and 12 days/11 nights but the price was quite larger and the flight was supposed to Milas instead of Adnan Menderes. I said no, and then my mom and I literally had to run to other agencies and see if we can get something by 19th July latest. Simply because, we had Bank appointement at 12:30.

Actually we had only one choice - Matico, because all other agencies are even hundreds of euros more expensive than Jolly and Matico. Some (like Kontiki Travel) even don't allow 11/12 days in exclusive hotels - only 8 or 15 days which is either too short or too long and too expensive.

Bingo! The Matico girl informed us that they still have spaces for 10th July and after short cell phone consultations with dad, we decided to book This is our first trip with Matico, my mom is still a bit suspicious about it, since she is used to Kontiki and Jolly, but what the hack, I think all will be fine.

Although the charter flight is even in this case to Milas Bodrum, but no problem. Appears that Muğla İli is our destiny. Flight carrier will be as ussual Jat Airways formerly known as JAT Yugoslav Airlines. It is the best option avalaible, the others are even worse. Jat has monopoly protected by the Goverment, otherwise Turkish companies would fly to SCG. They are really being rude - they plan charter flight timetable just 12 hours before the next day!?!!? And they inform travel agencies only 10 hours before the departure. Awful...

In any case see you in Kuşadası this Sunday (or should I say Pazar? ).

[cozmo]

I am travelling in Kusadasi in the middle of August, but me and my wife will stay in Saturn hotel (bed and breakfast), because it is a very clean, cheap hotel, near town centre (it is better to be in town then in hotel on the beach, if you are staying late the only way back to the hotel is expensive taxi ride). And I like to eat by myself, All inclusive variants are more expensive than a restaurants in the town. And in restaurants, you will get much better menu than in hotel (some people don't like food in hotels). But, if you want to be on the beach more time, take a hotel on the beach. I've heard that Grand Blue Sky is good hotel.

But, we will fly Montenegro Airlines to Milas (Bodrum). I think it is a better option, JAT tends to pack all economy (last year 190 on 186 seats B727) on their flights, so flights are stressfull (even for two hours). You get stuffed in the seat, and cannot move. I don't like that, I like smooth ride, Fokker is way better with big leg space and leather seats (also much quieter than B737, 727 I don't think it will fly anymore). Izmir is closest to Kusadasi, but one additional hour in bus won't hurt. Also, Milas is better (newest) airport.

Also, in Belgrade you have a variety of travel agencies that have Turkey... (for example: Sabra, their partner is Montenegro Airlines).

Charter flights are ususaly announced day or 12 hrs before flight, this is not so strange. It depeneds on number of tourists, available airplane and route.

Pozdrav,
Ivan

[JAT]

Hvala Ivane,

I know about the announcement of the flight, but previous years with Jolly and Kontiki we knew flight time 48 hours in advance. Actually every year since 1996.

Montenegro Airlines is great option, but I just don't understand why "big guys" from Belgrade keep on working with Jat Airways, although Jat is bullying more and more every year. I remember seeing Montenegro Airlines' Fokker 100 arriving to the airport during our departure from Antalya back in 2003. We were going back home by DC10-30.

Boeing 727 is already a plane restricted to land to EU countries, although it may land but after paying quite large sum of money. Jat is using these planes in domestic and international traffic (Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa). Most of these 727s are leased in Nigeria and who knows where else.

P.S. Ivane, javi se na meshan@ptt.yu pa cu ti reci kako je bilo u Kusadasiju kada se vratim.

[Hephaestion]

Wow seems you were lucky to even get tickets.
So I guess you dismissed the bus option and decided on flying. Can´t blame you.

Milas Bodrum is clean and small. Remember to have Euro´s or Lira handy for baggage trolleys when you get to the bagage reclaim.

I really liked the Fokker 70 and 100 too.
Very comfortable and those big windows are great for viewing.

JAT if you get a window remember to take photos (digital) when your flying over Kusadasi. Perhaps ask the Stewardess to ask the Captain to mention it.

You pass Kus about 30-35 minutes before landing at Milas. I think you have to be seated on the left hand side of the aircraft to see it on the way down and on the right hand side on the way home.

I guess the monopoly out of Belgrade will be broken sooner or later. Those DC 10´s must be getting on a bit. They used to fly them to Australia and Cleveland.

[cozmo]

DC10-30 (YU-AMB) the pride of the JAT fleet is sold to TAT Industries and it will be converted to combi version. Sad, sad, sad

What is the thing with baggage troleys on Milas? Can you "override" them? I don't like to pay money for two little bags... (We are not carying too much stuff).

For JAT: I've only saw that Sabra turist company is flying with Montenegro (ticket costs 10 euros more than JAT, but I think the service is better). I will contact you on e-mail...

I will try to contact the captain (I will try to find who is flying before flight, I was in Air Traffic Control long time ago, so I know lots of people), and I will try to snap some photos over Turkey and Kusadasi area. It will be great (if weather permits) to post photos like that on this great website.

We will see what the Air Maxi (new Serbian low cost company) will do. I think they will have Greece and Turkey as an option, with prices around 100 euro for return ticket, but without service on airplane (it will be food and drinks, but that will not be included in ticket price, it will be sold separately).

Maybe next year we will have more (and cheaper) choice to fly in Kusadasi and other great places in Turkey.

[Hephaestion]

Cozmo U can check out my aerial photos of Kus here:
http://forum.kusadasi.biz/thread2180.html

If your lucky you´ll pass Izmir, Izmir Airport, Ephesos, Kusadasi, Long Beach, Mili Park and the mountians.

There´s a lady at the baggage trolley´s, no you can´t override them.
But if you have only two small bags it shouldn´t be a problem to carry them to the bus. the Terminal is tiny.

[cozmo]

Nice pictures!

I asked you about the troleys because we have an organized transfer from airport to hotel in Kusadasi, we are going in the group with our guide...


Regards,
Ivan

[JAT]

Yes, Milas Bodrum Terminal is extra small and boring (duing departures). I had such a great time at Antalya Hava Limani.

Thanks for flying tip in case that the plane arrives from that route. I will surely take camera into the cockpit.

[Daja]

Zdravo!
I travel with ARGUS TOURS because they are specialised in Turkey (only in Turkey), I went with them last year and the organisation was perfect, and my friends have been going with them to Kus for many years now, no complaints so far, and they have the best prices. I also fly by a charter (Avio Genex) to the airport in Izmir and it takes us less than one hour from Izmir to Kusadasi. It is always the thing with charters that you know the schedule two days before or so. Last year we arrived in Kusadasi in the evening, about 8 pm. See you in August!

[cozmo]

Argus tours is very very good. Lots of people are very satisfied with them. But I've found Saturn hotel only in Sabra (I travelled with them in Greece few times they are very very good). And JAT charters are nightmare... Aviogenex and Montenegro are better in charter flights (especially Aviogenex).

I think Montenegro has flights to Turkey at 11am most of the time.

But, the only thing is important, to be in Kusadasi

Have a nice trip and good time in Kusadasi!