Sunday 3 June 2012

Bodrum's New Airport Terminal


I  flew from Bodrum airport’s new terminal last week. Open only a week, it seemed to have all systems up and running and, apart from the long queue to check in to the Easy Jet flight, all else was quick and efficient.  Everything is very, very shiny. Don't take off your sunglasses on entering as the glare from the floors is blinding and wear shoes with decent grip, because the marble floors are so polished that in smooth leather soles, with a good run up, you could probably slide from the security gate to the first airline desk.  A group of children were busy testing this theory as I waited to check in. Overall, the terminal wins my vote of approval. The staff were very professional, with good English  and even the cafe wasn't too expensive.  My memories of recent Turkish airport catering are not flattering; "way over-priced" and "inedible" are the adjectives which fly to mind. The new terminal restaurant hadn’t opened but the cafe had a selection of hot and cold buffet style dishes, and sandwiches.   All the  food looked and smelt more appetising than the reheated junk food on the Easy Jet flight. Hopefully these prices aren’t an”introductory offer” and the new management will realise that if they offer reasonable food at fair prices, they will sell much more. In the early days of tourism, I don’t remember the airport food being over-priced at Dalaman airport, but there again, in those days they never charged tour company staff anyway. Life really was one long free lunch on transfer days.


As I walked from the departure lounge to the aeroplane without leaving the air-conditioning or encountering stairs, I almost became nostalgic for the hot walk from the building to the plane steps, breathing in the smell of fuel and melting tarmac. Gone are the days when you were greeted with piles of luggage and have to find and touch your case before it would be loaded. There always seemed to be one case left on the ground. An unsuspecting tourist who didn't understand the system, would be waiting at the baggage reclaim at Heathrow for a bag that was having an extended and often permanent stay in Turkey.

8 comments:

  1. I'm hoping I get to see this new terminal when I make my first visit to Bodrum at the end of the month!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, that gorgeous shiny floor makes me want to put on my rollarblades. I've been totally impressed with Turkish airport infrastructure. So far, I've experienced the two Istanbul airports (also wonderful mod and shiny) and Kayseri's airport (small and cozy but modern). Kudos to the aviation sector!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That airport looks inviting! I hope you get good luck on food front too, enjoy :)
    Ozlem

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Bodrum, I so enjoy traveling with you! I learn so much. Peace.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well I guess I won't see much of it next time to go to England as I will be flying with Turkish Airlines and assume I still have to go to the Domestic terminal for the flight to Istanbul first, and on return one only ever sees the baggage reclaim section.

    I also remember the days of having to identify one's luggage on the tarmac. It's great that we no longer have to do this as there always seemed to be a delay whilst cabin staff enquired who owned bags still sitting outside.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for doing the service of reviewing the available food in the terminal. One thing that makes us hate traveling is the legal robbery that goes on at the terminal restaurants. Now we pack our own but we still sometimes get relieved of our water by the security personnel before we get in the door. Anyway, good for Bodrum and happy trails!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dalaman is still vying with Mogadishu for the Blue Ribbon as 'World's Worst'! Bodrum looks the business - love the idea of the runway lights right next to the seating area!

    ReplyDelete
  8. The food in the Atatürk International Airport are all insanely priced. If I remember right, one glass of cay cost 6 TL! In comparison, I am happy with what we are paying for in the Singapore airports.

    ReplyDelete