Low-level aircraft flights scheduled over Nicosia for Independence Day rehearsals

The National Guard General Staff of the Republic of Cyprus has announced that low-level aircraft flypasts will take place over the capital, Nicosia, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The flights are scheduled to occur at approximately 11:00 a.m. as part of official preparations for the upcoming military parade.

The parade is set to be held on October 1 to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus' declaration of independence. These rehearsals ensure the precision of the event, which features personnel from the National Guard, police, fire service, and for the first time, units from the Egyptian Armed Forces. Authorities have explicitly requested that members of the public remain calm, noting that the aerial activity is strictly routine and poses no cause for concern.

Cyprus declared its independence on August 16, 1960, following the end of British colonial rule. While the official anniversary falls in August, commemorations were moved to October 1 to avoid the peak heat of the summer holiday season. The event traditionally involves a large-scale military parade and a public address by the President of the Republic.