External News & Events

Cyprus Turkish Airlines starts legal challenge against UK Government

Cyprus Turkish Airlines (CTA) – Kibris Türk Hava Yollari – and its UK tour operator, CTA Holidays Limited, launched a legal challenge on 30 April 2007 against the UK Government's refusal to permit scheduled and charter flights directly between the UK and North Cyprus.

The UK Government has repeatedly said that it is in favour of direct flights if permitting them is consistent with its obligations in international law. The Government, however, refused Cyprus Turkish Airlines' applications, claiming that direct flights would be contrary to the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.

CTA's position is that the Government has misunderstood the Chicago Convention, which does not prevent direct flights, and should therefore grant the applications.

Currently, CTA must fly through Turkey to Ercan airport in North Cyprus. This adds about 2 hours to flight times and increases CTA and passenger costs. There is no operational reason for stopping in Turkey.

Each year, CTA flies around 100,000 UK tourists into North Cyprus – an attractive destination because of its climate, beaches, unspoilt natural beauty and historical sites. Sümer Garip, the General Coordinator of CTA, says that "CTA hopes through direct flights to bring more tourists to the island, as well as making it easier for Turkish Cypriots in the UK to visit their families in northern Cyprus."
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