The level of aviation safety in Cypriot airspace remains particularly high, the Department of Civil Aviation has said, in a statement issued following reports of unauthorised aircraft and Turkish military aircraft operating within Cyprus’s airspace.
The statement noted that the presence and activity of Turkish aircraft within the area controlled by the Republic of Cyprus constituted a longstanding and recurring operational reality, one that air traffic control was required to manage on an almost daily basis.
“This is not a novel or unforeseen operational phenomenon,” the statement added.
The Department of Civil Aviation further noted that the problems caused by Turkey within Cypriot airspace, whether through the unlawful operation of Tymbou airport and interference with flights, or through military aircraft sorties, were well known and subject to continuous management, requiring heightened vigilance in order to maintain flight safety standards.
It stressed that the timely recognition and effective handling of such situations by personnel was itself evidence of the effectiveness of the air traffic control system.
