The presence of unauthorised Turkish Air Force aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) along critical air routes and near Larnaca and Paphos airports is raising serious flight safety concerns, according to the Pancyprian Air Traffic Controllers’ Trade Union.
In a statement, the union said that, alongside increased air traffic, controllers at the Nicosia Area Control Centre and the Larnaca and Paphos approach control units are making continuous efforts to ensure the safety of flights.
According to the union, their work is being affected by unauthorised Turkish Air Force aircraft and UAVs which, it claims, operate “almost continuously” along critical air routes and near the two airports of the Republic of Cyprus.
Incident involving TUAF770 and TOM56T
The union referred specifically to an incident involving the Turkish military aircraft TUAF770.
According to the union, the aircraft failed to respond to calls from the Nicosia Control Centre, deviated from the route specified in its flight plan and began climbing towards flight level FL360.
At the same time, TOM56T, a Boeing 737-800, was descending towards flight level FL350.
The union said the vigilance of air traffic controllers enabled them to identify the potential conflict between the two flight paths in time, resulting in the Boeing 737-800’s descent being stopped at the last moment.
The union described the incident as “complete disregard for passenger safety by Turkey”.
Union says incidents are ongoing
The union also stressed that such incidents are not isolated.
According to the Pancyprian Air Traffic Controllers’ Trade Union, the situation has continued “24 hours a day, seven days a week, for decades”.
The union said the situation is further aggravated by Ankara’s refusal to maintain two-way communication with the Nicosia Control Centre.
Controllers highlighted the critical importance of continuous air traffic monitoring, particularly when aircraft fail to respond to instructions or calls from the relevant control centre.
Beyond increased air traffic, ATCOs in Nicosia ACC and at Larnaca and Paphos Approach do their best to ensure flight safety affected by unauthorised Turkish Air Force aircraft and UAVs, operating almost constantly along critical routes and near the two aerodromes of Cyprus. pic.twitter.com/Wqass9BObW
— ΠΑΣΕΕΚ (@CYATCU_NEWS) August 19, 2026
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