Flight safety concerns over unauthorized Turkish military aircraft in Cyprus

The Pancyprian Air Traffic Controllers’ Trade Union has reported severe flight safety concerns regarding the persistent presence of unauthorized Turkish Air Force aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) near the Larnaca and Paphos airports. Air traffic controllers at the Nicosia Area Control Centre are struggling to manage these incursions alongside high volumes of commercial traffic.

A critical incident occurred involving a Turkish military aircraft, identified as TUAF770, which reportedly failed to respond to communications from the Nicosia Control Centre. The aircraft deviated from its filed flight plan and began climbing to flight level FL360. Simultaneously, a Boeing 737-800, identified as flight TOM56T, was descending towards FL350. The union stated that a mid-air collision was narrowly avoided solely due to the vigilance of air traffic controllers who identified the conflicting trajectories in time.

These events underscore ongoing tensions regarding airspace control and the risks posed to civilian aviation in the region. The union reports that Turkish military operations continue almost continuously along critical air routes, forcing controllers to intervene repeatedly to ensure the safety of civilian passengers. Authorities are monitoring the situation as these unauthorized flights continue to challenge the integrity of Cyprus's managed airspace.