Tymbou, Cyprus. The north’s ‘transport minister’ Erhan Arikli said American officials inspected Ercan (Tymbou) airport for its capability to support evacuations, describing the process as routine. He said such inspections are carried out periodically after approvals are obtained.
Arikli on inspection process
Arikli said the American embassy in Cyprus and the American office in northern Cyprus periodically apply to the transport ministry after obtaining permission from the foreign ministry. He said the transport ministry then grants the necessary approval for the civil aviation authority, after which American consular officials visit Ercan airport to inspect its current state.
He said the purpose of the inspection is primarily to determine whether Ercan airport can be used technically during critical times and which type of evacuation aircraft can use the airport. He added that on the most recent visit, the team conveyed appreciation and congratulations to the civil aviation authority for the airport’s current state.
Regional context
The reference to evacuation comes as the United States and Iran remain in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, with concerns in some quarters that the dispute could escalate into armed conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to travel to Washington DC to meet United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday night and was expected, according to Agence France-Presse, to push Trump to take a tougher stance on Iran.
Trump earlier told Axios that he is considering sending a second aircraft carrier strike group to the region to prepare for military action if negotiations fail, alongside an armada he said he sent last month. “We have an armada that is heading there and another one might be going,” he said.
Cyprus role in evacuations
During previous regional conflicts, including the conflict between Iran and Israel last year, Cyprus has been used as an intermediary point for evacuations from conflict zones to countries of origin.
This has typically been done through the Republic of Cyprus’ ‘Estia’ plan, which uses infrastructure operated by the Republic of Cyprus, including Larnaca airport and the ports of Larnaca and Limassol, as evacuation hubs.
How could Cyprus’ existing evacuation arrangements be affected by preparations involving Ercan airport?
