The Flight Safety Foundation – Southeast Europe – Cyprus (FSF-SE-Europe-Cyprus), which condemns Turkey’s ongoing violations involving military aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) within the Nicosia FIR, without the required coordination with the relevant air traffic control authorities.
In a statement regarding recent press reports, the statement by the Pan-Cyprian Union of Air Traffic Controllers, and the relevant statements by the Department of Civil Aviation, the FSF-SE-Europe-Cyprus “expresses its deep concern and condemns Turkey’s continued violations involving military aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) within the Nicosia FIR, without the required coordination with the relevant air traffic control authorities.”
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“Such actions, particularly when carried out near critical air routes and in the approach areas of Larnaca and Paphos airports, create additional operational risks and place an unjustified burden on the work of air traffic controllers, in violation of the principles and procedures governing the safe and coordinated management of international civil aviation,” he notes.
SEE ALSO: How a collision between a Turkish military aircraft and a passenger plane was averted in the Nicosia FIR
The Foundation also expresses “its full support and recognition” for the Air Traffic Controllers and the rest of the operational and technical staff at the Nicosia Area Control Center and at the Control Units of Larnaca and Paphos airports.
“Their high level of professional training, ongoing education, and operational readiness, as well as their professionalism, constant vigilance, and immediate response to emergencies or unusual situations are key factors in maintaining the exceptionally high level of flight safety in Cyprus,” it states.
FSF-SE-Europe-Cyprus adds that it also recognizes the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Works, as well as the Civil Aviation Department, at both the operational and technical levels, to continuously upgrade systems and procedures and ensure the safe management of air traffic.
SEE ALSO: Civil Aviation Department: Its statement on the near-collision between an airplane and a Turkish drone in the Nicosia FIR
The Foundation emphasizes that, despite the serious challenges posed by such actions, the level of aviation safety in the Nicosia FIR remains exceptionally high. Full compliance with international civil aviation rules and procedures and ensuring the safety of flights and passengers must be a non-negotiable priority, it concludes.
Source: CNA
