Air traffic controllers have raised serious concerns about flight safety in the Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR), citing an intensification of Turkish interventions in the airspace.
Speaking on CyBC, Giorgos Georgiou, president of the Pancyprian Union of Air Traffic Controllers, said the Republic of Cyprus should apply stronger pressure through relevant international and European organizations to compel Turkey to comply with international air navigation rules.
Georgiou reiterated that the Air Traffic Control Center is operating with just 90 controllers, well short of the 140 positions the service requires, a shortfall he said is straining operations.
He also renewed a call for the establishment of a state air navigation company, arguing that such a body would allow for faster hiring and training of controllers, modernize services, and reduce flight delays.
