Turkey has decided to no longer follow Daylight Saving Time (DST), so won’t be turn back the clocks by an hour on October 30th.
An official announcement on Thursday 8th September said the country will stay on Daylight Saving Time for good.
Click here to read our article from September
Permanently on UTC +3
This changes Turkey’s time zone to a permanent UTC offset of plus 3 hours (UTC+3).
What does this mean for you?
When the UK turns the clocks back on Sunday 30th October, it means that Turkey will be three hours ahead. In March 2017, when the UK puts the clocks forward, the time in Turkey will stay the same. This means the country will be two hours ahead.
Without the ‘fall back’, mornings will stay darker for longer. This is good news for those who like a lie in and don’t want to be woken up by the winter sun shining through the curtains; however, maybe not such good news for those who have to be up and about early.
Evenings will stay lighter for longer; great for those who want to ‘stop and shop’ on their way home or potter around in the garden for an hour or so before dinner.
Those who enjoy watching live broadcasts on UK television will now have to wait an extra hour to tune in.
For those of you who live in Turkey and regularly chat to friends and loved ones back in the UK, you will either have to stay up later in the evenings or persuade your friends and family to set their alarms earlier.
Of course you can opt for a daytime call (if possible) so it doesn’t make too much of a difference.
Computers and electronics
Computers, cell phones, androids, tablets and some other electronic devices and systems will be updated (be set back an hour) automatically at 02.00 a.m. on Sunday, 30th October. If you live in Turkey you should set yours device time at GMT +3 (one hour forward) manually so as to be in tune with the new unchanged local time. (Source – turkishlabourlaw.com). Here at Fethiye Times we thought we’d wait and see what happens first!
Flights
Departure and arrival times of foreign flights will also be affected according to Turkish Airlines. The company announced that the time of domestic and foreign flights between 30 October 2016 and 25 March 2017 are set one hour forward. All passengers are advised to check their flight times with the relevant airline before flying. Please bear in mind that, in case of midnight flights, it’s even possible that the date of the flight may change. (Source – turkishlabourlaw.com).
Northern Cyrus
Northern Cyprus will follow mainland Turkey and not set their clocks back 1 hour for Daylight Saving Time (DST), effectively creating 2 different time zones on the Mediterranean island.
Finally…
Don’t forget to NOT turn your clocks back on Sunday!
No more Daylight Saving Time for us. Who needs an extra hour in bed anyway!
