A History of Isolation and Ongoing Restrictions
For over five decades, travellers to North Cyprus have faced a unique aviation predicament: the inability to fly directly to the territory from anywhere except Turkiye. This restriction, rooted in international law and political recognition issues, continues to affect hundreds of thousands of people and remains one of the most visible consequences of Cyprus’s division.
The 1974 Division and Its Aviation Consequences
The current situation stems from the events of 1974, when Cyprus was divided following a coup aimed at uniting the island with Greece and Turkiye’s subsequent military intervention. The current situation stems from the events of 1974, when Cyprus was divided following a coup aimed at uniting the island with Greece and Turkiye’s subsequent military intervention as a guarantor power and the division of the island which remains to this day.
Following the Turkish military operation, the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 led to economic destruction in the southern part of the island, which received heavy subsidies from the international community to develop its economy, while Northern Cyprus only received aid from Turkiye and very little international aid.
The Declaration of Independence and International Embargo
Northern Cyprus has been under severe embargoes since its unilateral declaration of independence in 1983, with the embargoes actively promoted by a Greek Cypriot campaign. The territory declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), but this state is recognized only by Turkiye.
Flights to the Ercan International Airport of Northern Cyprus are banned internationally, with non-stop flights only taking place from Turkiye, which is the only country to recognise Northern Cyprus. The airport itself has an interesting history: originally constructed by the British during World War II as Tymbou Airport, it was taken over by the Turkish army following the 1974 partition and renamed after Fehmi Ercan.
The Legal Framework: Chicago Convention and ICAO
The legal barrier to direct flights is rooted in international aviation law. The Republic of Cyprus has not designated any airport in the northern part of Cyprus with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); as such, no airports in that part of Cyprus are listed by ICAO as open for international traffic.
The 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation established ICAO and set the framework for international air travel. Under this convention, states have sovereignty over their airspace and the right to designate which airports serve as customs airports for international traffic. The UK High Court ruled in 2009 (Kibris Türk Hava Yollari v Secretary of State for Transport) that allowing direct flights to Ercan airport in the north of Cyprus would breach international legal obligations because it would fail to respect the Republic of Cyprus’s rights under the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, including to choose which airports to designate as customs airports. This ruling was endorsed by the Court of Appeal in 2010.
The Current Travel Reality
Today, travelers to North Cyprus must navigate a cumbersome system. Since 2006, a rule stipulates that flights are required to touch down at a Turkish airport before continuing to and from Ercan. This means all passengers must disembark in Turkiye, go through security checks again, and board a new aircraft for the final leg to Ercan.
In 2017, the situation became even more difficult. Larnaca airport saw a more than 400% increase in customers as a result of new tight security measures imposed by the UK Department for Transport, forcing passengers traveling between Britain and Northern Cyprus to disembark with their luggage and go through a fresh security check in Turkiye in order to board a new aircraft for their final destination. According to Turkish Cypriot tour operators, this led to travelers drifting to Larnaca airport in the south instead.
Currently, there are 10 airports around the world that have direct flights to Ercan in 2 countries, with Turkiye being well-connected to Ercan with 10 airports that have direct flights.
Alternative Routes via the South
Many travelers now opt for an alternative: flying to Larnaca or Paphos airports in the Republic of Cyprus and crossing the border by land. This route offers advantages including genuine direct flights from Europe, more flight options, and generally lower prices. The border crossings between north and south have been open since 2003, making this a viable option.
Calls for Change
Over the years, there have been numerous attempts to lift the restrictions. In 2006, the Turkish government began discussions for Northern Cyprus’s main port of Famagusta and main civilian airport Ercan to be able to operate direct connections, with the UK government describing it as a “significant and creative offer.”
More recently, political pressure has intensified. A cross-party group of politicians, including former foreign secretary Jack Straw, wrote to Lord Cameron calling for “the commencement of direct flights from the United Kingdom to Ercan International Airport.” The group pointed out that the UK allows flights to non-UN member states like Kosovo and to countries it doesn’t recognise like Taiwan, questioning why North Cyprus should be treated differently.
Over 50 parliamentarians have urged action to end what they described as a discriminatory ban, noting the ongoing hardship caused by current travel restrictions to over 300,000 Turkish Cypriots in the UK and thousands of British nationals in Northern Cyprus.
Government Position Remains Unchanged
Despite these calls, the UK government’s position remains firm. The UK Government has no plans to authorise direct flights between the UK and the north of Cyprus, as the UK does not recognise the self-declared ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ as an independent state and recognises the Republic of Cyprus as the sovereign authority for the island of Cyprus. As a result, the UK cannot negotiate an Air Services Agreement with the administration in North Cyprus, and doing so would be unlawful given the court rulings.
Airport Expansion Despite Restrictions
Interestingly, despite the international isolation, North Cyprus has invested in airport infrastructure. The new terminal and extended runway were opened on July 20, 2023. The expanded facility was designed to be much larger than the existing airport with nine airbridges, though its full potential remains untapped due to the flight restrictions.
The Human Cost
The practical impact of these restrictions is significant. Travelers face longer journey times, higher costs, and considerable inconvenience. Families separated between the UK and North Cyprus find visiting loved ones particularly burdensome. The tourism industry in the north struggles to compete with the south, which enjoys unrestricted international access.
Looking Forward
The direct flight issue remains emblematic of the broader Cyprus problem. Until there is a political settlement between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, or a significant shift in how the international community approaches the Cyprus question, the aviation restrictions are likely to remain in place. For now, anyone wishing to visit North Cyprus must continue to route through Turkiye or cross by land from the south—a situation that has persisted for over 50 years with no clear resolution in sight.
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