Cyprus’ Permanent Representative Maria Michael has written to UN Secretary-General António Guterres detailing 520 airspace and 23 naval violations by Turkish forces between March and May. More than 100 incursions involved Bayraktar combat drones, while 196 used F-16 fighters operating from the un-recognised Tymbou/Ercan airport in northern Cyprus. The letter argues that persistent military over-flights undermine civil-aviation safety in the Nicosia Flight Information Region and “seriously erode the sense of security of all Cypriots”. The complaint follows incidents earlier this month in which Cypriot authorities accused Turkish Cypriot controllers of interfering with aircraft carrying EU defence ministers. Airlines currently follow Eurocontrol conflict-zone notices for eastern Mediterranean corridors; corporate travel managers should monitor any changes, particularly for routes between Larnaca, the Levant and Turkey. Heightened tension could trigger re-routing, higher insurance premiums or crew rest restrictions.
Source: Cyprus Mail
