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Turkey loves flying. Whether on a national or international scale, our nation has been flying more and more over the last ten years. And none of us can resist the appeal of the international terminal in particular, with its Duty Free, eating and drinking, and watching world citizens pass by. And what do you think journalist and columnist Nur Çintay and our beloved traveller and document maker Coşkun Aral have to say about this subject? The answers are on these pages…
Where did you last fly to, why and from which airport? NUR ÇİNTAY: The last place I flew to was the International Terminal and I flew from the Istanbul Atatürk Airport. Entirely for tourism purposes… I will never forget the high class Harlem family that I saw at the airport on my return; they had an average height of two metres in spite of two small children and who wore golden, lamé patent leather shoes covered with gems. Multiplying Süreyya Yalçın by 40 might give you an idea. COŞKUN ARAL: I last flew to Van. As soon as I have finished answering your questions, in two hours’ time I will fly to Singapore What do you think is the common spirit of the international terminal and of people who pass through here? NUR ÇİNTAY: The International Terminal is like one of those color catalogues that you can find in hardware stores … An endless variety… A small world… It makes you wonder about the ridiculousness of the fruitless, formalistic debates that take place here. COŞKUN ARAL: The spirit of international terminals is like a summary of the world. Both the world’s joy and troubles are reflected here. For example, nowadays there is the fear of swine flu. You can see the anxiety and the stress of that on people’s faces. Whatever is part of the daily lives of people is also to be found at international terminals. When you pass through passport control and into the world beyond it, how do you spend your time waiting for your plane to depart? Where do you prefer to spend time? NUR ÇİNTAY: I spend it eating and drinking! There is a café-bar in the Istanbul Airport International Terminal where snacks such as “poppers” and “wings” are unexpectedly tasty, next to an ice cold beer. It is my favorite stop, especially before long flights! COŞKUN ARAL: I always go early to airports, because recently security checks have turned into a much longer process. In the remaining time I prefer to read newspapers or magazines. What do you prefer to buy from Duty Free? What did you last get? NUR ÇİNTAY: Whisky, especially Talisker and Lagavulin, because you cannot always find these two in our stores and when you find them they have devastating price tags. And of course chocolate! But it has to be Starbrook Airlines. Because I get these for their boxes, rather than for the chocolate inside them. These chocolates are of Belgian origin and they have these beautiful, retro, tin boxes. And then you can put whatever you want in them, dry apricots, biscuits, tea… COŞKUN ARAL: I only get newspapers from Duty Free shops, and some special things which are cheaper there… If your plane was delayed and you had to spend the night in an airport in Turkey, which would you prefer? And in the world? NUR ÇİNTAY: I’d rather not state a preference. I wish everybody flights with no delays! COŞKUN ARAL: The Istanbul Atatürk Airport in Turkey and the Singapore Airport around the world. If you were told: “Chose a destination anywhere and you will fly there tomorrow with the airline of your choice, without needing a visa, where would you chose to go and which airline would you chose? NUR ÇİNTAY: French Polynesia would not be bad. I would prefer Turkish Airlines--but on one condition. Getting there lasts one full day; that’s such a pity, such a waste! If it were to shorten that to three hours! COŞKUN ARAL: Tonight I will fly Turkish Airlines. I wouldn’t say no to a first class seat. |
Index
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Nur-cintay | coskun-aral | airport | Istanbul-Atatürk-Airport | International- | terminal | passport- | control | Duty-Free |
| Singapore-Airport | Airlines | Turkish |