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Direct Flights to North Cyprus To Be A Reality?

UPDATE ; 31/7/09 – Sadly the UK government has decided to dismiss a request to review the ongoing restrictions on direct flights to North Cyprus from the UK.  It will be challenged of course, but it does not look likely to succeed.  The reasons for the dismissal are based upon the fact that Nicosia Air Traffic Control in the south is the body responsible for all air traffic over Cyprus, according to the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation).  Allowing Ercan airport to be recognised internationally would also be contrary to the Chicago Convention of 1944, but what exactly it is contrary to is unclear.  So, thats the state of play presently, which is more than unfortunate for the Turkish Cypriot community and economy after so much resassurance from the EU after voting ‘Yes’ in favour of the UN backed Annan Plan.

the Some possibly impending good news, with regards to flying to North Cyprus is that maybe, in the near future, they could be direct – now that would be a turn up for the books and we are keeping our fingers cross that it will transpire whilst it grinds it way through the cogs of the UK courts!

You may have already heard that a case has been heard in a London High Court recently after an action was bought against the UK government by both Cyprus Turkish Airlines (KTHY) and its sister company CTA Holidays Limited, challenging the ban on direct flights, calling it ‘unjust and unlawful’.

A ban on direct flights to North Cyprus has been in place now for 35 years after the Turkish military forces intervened in the troubles in 1974. Since that time all flights to Northern Cyprus have only been able to fly into the country after a stop over in Turkey. The knock on effect on tourism has been considerable as tourists often feel that the additional journey time makes it too inconvenient for them to travel here, and of course prices have been that much higher due to increased fuel consumption.

So how have CTA argued their case? Well one interesting point of argument used is the current status of Taiwan. This may seem a little strange unless you are aware of their situation! Taiwan, originally part of mainland China but subsequently estranged after the Chinese Civil War, still views itself as the Republic of China and has its own governing state (the US had a lot to do with it being recognised for some time until it switched its allegiance to mainland China!). Rather than explain the situation in minute detail, let’s just say that there are some similarities between the two countries status!

Over the years Taiwan has increasingly been able to form its own alliances and trade links with different countries, and indeed has direct flights to the US and Europe, even though it remains unrecognised as an independent country. CTA is therefore using this example during the court case and a professor from Oxford has been invited to explain those similarities.

Now the court has heard the case and everyone awaits its decision, although it’s hard to know which way the courts will decide. It has been said that as Taiwan is an important centre of production for exports to the US and European markets, there would be too much to lose if bans were imposed on Taiwan. It cannot be said to be the same for North Cyprus, however unfair that is, although a decision should certainly not be based upon the economic worth of a country to the rest of the world.

It is safe to say that a lifting of the ban would have huge significance for North Cyprus, especially where tourism is concerned with tourists finding it a more tempting option for their holidays with less flying time and lower prices too (we can but hope!). According to statistics, CTA currently flies about 100,000 visitors a year from the UK alone, so that could be expected to rise significantly. One question this writer has though, and that is, how will the rather small Ercan airport cope as presumably CTA would start flying from more UK destinations meaning more aircraft arriving?

So what next? Well, we await the courts decision although the case could take some time to deliberate as there are always other factors to take into consideration such as what effect a positive outcome for TRNC could mean in terms of having set a precedent. So what this space, we will let you know!

If you are planning to fly to North Cyprus feel free to check our articles on flights to North Cyprus and also if you have chosen to arrive via the south then our article on flights to south Cyprus may also be of some use.