Cyprus problem seen as ultimate solution to Nicosia FIR flight safety issues

Nicosia, Cyprus. The ultimate solution to longstanding flight safety problems affecting the Nicosia flight information region lies in resolving the Cyprus problem, acting Civil Aviation director Haris Antoniades said.

He said Turkey is the only neighbouring country with which Cyprus cannot communicate on air traffic control matters.

Need for cooperation

“The solution is a solution to the Cyprus problem,” Antoniades told the Cyprus Mail when asked what could ultimately resolve the situation.

He said the required arrangement was for Cyprus and Turkey to operate as neighbouring states whose air traffic control authorities communicate with each other.

“The solution is for us and Turkey to be two neighbouring states which cooperate in air traffic control, as all neighbouring states around the world do,” he said.

Cyprus already cooperates on air traffic control with Greece, Israel, Lebanon and Egypt, while communication with Syria has resumed following the crisis there.

“And with Turkey,” Antoniades said, “this should be no different.”

Parliamentary discussion

Antoniades spoke a day after a joint meeting of the House defence and transport committees examined flight safety risks in the Nicosia FIR arising from Turkish actions and activities linked to the breakaway administration in the north.

Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas and Transport Minister Eva Tsolaki attended Thursday’s meeting. Discussions included staffing concerns, the need to upgrade systems at the air traffic control centre and proposals to establish a state air navigation company.

Nicosia FIR

Antoniades said understanding the issue required distinguishing between the Nicosia FIR and Cyprus’ national airspace.

He said the International Civil Aviation Organisation divided FIRs in 1951, with countries that had been among the Allied powers assigned large FIRs, citing Cyprus and Malta as examples.