| Airline: | Cyprus Turkish Airlines Kıbrıs Türk Hava Yolları |
| Frequent Flyer: | Miles&Smiles (Turkish Airlines) |
| Alliance: | Star Alliance (affiliate; 2008-2010) |
| Fleet Size: | 7 |
| Destinations: | 18 |
| Iata: | YK |
| Icao: | KYV |
| Callsign: | AIRKIBRIS |
| Founded: | 1974 |
| Commenced: | 1975 |
| Ceased: | 21 June 2010 |
| Headquarters: | North Nicosia, Northern Cyprus |
| Hubs: | Ercan International Airport |
| Key People: | Bilal Ekşi |
| Website: | (archived 23 July 2011) |
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.[1]
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.
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.[2]
In order to avoid bankruptcy due to a $100 million debt, the management decided to sell the company in June 2010. After the end of the bidding period, the Turkish carrier Atlasjet was the only bidder. [3]
On 21 June 2010, the airline announced via its website that it had ceased all operations until further notice. On 29 June 2010, it was announced that the airline had gone out of business.
As of 13 March 2010, the Cyprus Turkish Airlines fleet consisted of the following aircraft:[6]
| Aircraft | Number | Passengers | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-232 | 1 | 180 | Operated by Turkuaz Airlines | |
| Airbus A321-211 | 2 | 209 | 1 operated by AtlasJet | |
| Boeing 737-800 | 4 | 177 | ||
| Total | 7 |
As of 14 March 2010, the average age of the fleet was 6.5 years.[7] According to the Cyprus Observer, KTHY had planned to extend its 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.
Cyprus Turkish Airlines offered only two classes:
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.
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.[9]
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.
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.
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.
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.