The presence of Turkish military aircraft and drones in the airspace of the Republic of Cyprus is raising serious concerns about flight safety, according to the Pancyprian Air Traffic Controllers’ Union (PSEEK).
Air traffic controllers say unauthorised aircraft frequently operate along critical flight routes and near Larnaca and Paphos airports, making their work more difficult.
One incident involved a Turkish military aircraft, identified as TUAF770, and a Boeing 737-800 passenger aircraft, identified as TOM56T. According to the union, the Turkish aircraft did not respond to calls from the Nicosia Control Centre, deviated from its flight plan and began climbing towards FL360. At the same time, the Boeing was descending towards FL350. Air traffic controllers intervened in time to prevent a potentially dangerous convergence of their flight paths.
According to PSEEK, the situation has continued “24 hours a day, seven days a week, for decades.”
The union says similar incidents have been occurring for decades and criticises Ankara for refusing to maintain two-way communication with the Nicosia Control Centre.
Cyprus’s Department of Civil Aviation, however, says aviation safety remains at a very high level. It says the presence of Turkish aircraft is a long-standing operational issue that is managed through continuous monitoring, training and increased staff vigilance.
The relevant authorities say the effective handling of such incidents demonstrates the readiness of the air traffic control system and stress that passenger safety remains the top priority for all civilian flights.
Source: CNN Greece
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