BA From United States of America, joined May 2000, 11135 posts, RR: 61 Posted (6 years 2 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 1969 times:
I was wondering, how does the interntional community and the Republic of Cyprus deal with the airspace of the island of Cyprus when 37% of the island is under the control of the internationally unrecognized (except by Turkey) Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus?
Many flights to the Middle East from Europe transit through Cypriot airspace, so I was wandering how it was coordinated between the two sides. I believe Ercan International Airport is the TRNC's only functional commercial airport while the Republic of Cyprus has Larnaca International Airport and Paphos International Airport under its control.
When transiting through TRNC airspace, do pilots make contact with Ercan ATC?
Often times when I've flown to/from Beirut, we fly over the Karpas Peninsula which is under TRNC control.
Are there any situations when TRNC airspace is avoided altogether?
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." - Khalil Gibran
Laxintl From United States of America, joined May 2000, 22053 posts, RR: 51 Reply 1, posted (6 years 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 1951 times:
While Northern Cyprus might be fully diplomatically recognised the airspace as expected is parcelled up between Ankara for the North and Nicosia to the South.
Transiting from one sector to another is a little more complicated then is probably should be as neither Nicosia nor Ankara provide traffic relay information between each other, and aircraft must call 10 minutes before FIR boundary entry.
Also somewhat complicating is that both Nicosia and Ankara claim portions the same airspace, so crews must politely either ignore one of the authorities, or relay information to both. At the end of the day talk to who's ever land mass you are over - Turks to the North, Greek to the South.
Another simple rule when flying thru the disputed boundary is simply operate per plan, and avoid any request for heading or altitude changes which could end up complicating things.
Cyba From Liberia, joined Nov 2005, 198 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (6 years 2 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 1830 times:
Quoting Laxintl (Reply 1): While Northern Cyprus might be fully diplomatically recognised
Your description of procedures is accurate.
Just a note that northern Cyprus is not diplomatically recognised by anyone other than Turkey. It does of course have diplomatic contacts with many countries and international agencies but none have so far extended it diplomatic recognition as such.
Sam1987 From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 939 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (6 years 2 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1815 times:
I travelled between the UK (LGW/BRS) and PFO many times. Every time our routing has been southerly, thus avoiding Turkish airspace completely; both Northern Cyprus and mainland Turkey.
What is the latest political situation in Northern Cyprus? Rumour has it that the Cypriots (both those on the Turkish side and those on the Greek side) are happy to reunite into one, multicultural island, but it is the Turks from mainland Turkey who do not want to give their half away. How much of that is true?
Next flights: LGW-LBA-LGW, LHR-SIN-SYD, SYD-BKK-LHR, LGW-GRO, GRO-CIA, CIA-MAD, MAD-LGW
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24909 posts, RR: 60 Reply 4, posted (6 years 2 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1799 times:
Quoting Sam1987 (Reply 3): What is the latest political situation in Northern Cyprus? Rumour has it that the Cypriots (both those on the Turkish side and those on the Greek side) are happy to reunite into one, multicultural island, but it is the Turks from mainland Turkey who do not want to give their half away. How much of that is true?
Its split , some want to and some dont want to and that is on both sides. In reality it will end up like Ireland . Two countries with close co operation and a guarantee to both communities living in either part of various rights and protection. All Turkish Cypriots on both sides of the Island are entitled to Cypriot (Greek) passports and free health care in the Greek part already.
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
Laxintl From United States of America, joined May 2000, 22053 posts, RR: 51 Reply 5, posted (6 years 2 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1797 times:
Quoting Sam1987 (Reply 3): Every time our routing has been southerly, thus avoiding Turkish airspace completely; both Northern Cyprus and mainland Turkey.
ATC services are not provided via Turkish or TRNC airspace for traffic destined for Larnaca or Paphos, however traffic destined the RAF base at Akrotiri may transit.
Quoting Sam1987 (Reply 3): happy to reunite into one, multicultural island, but it is the Turks from mainland Turkey who do not want to give their half away. How much of that is true?
Check out this BBC story. The latest UN plan for re-unificant was rejected by Greek Cypriot voters in 2004.
OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24909 posts, RR: 60 Reply 6, posted (6 years 2 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1775 times:
Quoting Laxintl (Reply 5): Check out this BBC story. The latest UN plan for re-unificant was rejected by Greek Cypriot voters in 2004.
The BBC report does not explain the fact in detail that many people who owned homes in the North would not have been allowed to return under this agreement and reclaim their houses. Only a token number would be allowed back so that was the real big issue for the Greek side voting NO. If these issues had have been addressed instead of trying to be fast tracked to get into the EU as one island in time to suit the EU then things may have been different.
There were talks of opening Nicosia Airport again as the main airport on the Island for both sides. I hope that one day all the issues will be solved and we will see this airport open again.
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
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ATC services are not provided via Turkish or TRNC airspace for traffic destined for Larnaca or Paphos, however traffic destined the RAF base at Akrotiri may transit.
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