Nicosia, Cyprus. Authorities on the British bases said on Tuesday that a temporary ban on the use of personal drones has been lifted. Restrictions near the north’s Ercan (Tymbou) airport remain in place.
British bases lift temporary ban
“Please be advised that in line with the Republic of Cyprus, the temporary ban on drones has now been lifted. The recommendation against paragliding is also lifted,” the bases’ authorities said.
Personal drones remain banned in sensitive areas both in the British bases and in areas under the republic’s administration.
Drone ban near Ercan airport to remain until June 10
Turkish Cypriot air traffic controllers’ trade union leader Kursad Hudaverdioglu told the Cyprus Mail that the north’s ban on personal drones in the region surrounding (Ercan) Tymbou airport will remain in place until June 10, with the ban stretching to a radius of five miles.
The restrictions were implemented after Hisar-A surface-to-air missiles were deployed by the Turkish military to the airport in March.
Military deployments and affected areas
The missile system joins six Turkish F-16 fighter jets, with Bayraktar Akinci and Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat drones also stationed at the Gecitkale (Lefkoniko) aerodrome, which was formally handed over to Turkey’s armed forces in January 2024, having been used for military purposes since 2019.
The five-mile radius includes areas of the Nicosia suburb of Aglandjia and the village of Yeri.
Coordination and pending response
Asked if contact has been made with the Republic of Cyprus’ authorities regarding the continued drone ban, Hudaverdioglu said, “we have no contact with the Greek Cypriot side” because “they are not coordinating with us”.
The Cyprus Mail attempted to contact the civil aviation department and is awaiting a response.
How will the continuing drone restrictions affect you if you live or travel within five miles of Ercan (Tymbou) airport?