Written question asked by Pauline Latham (Conservative) on Friday, 19 April 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 April 2024. It was answered by Nusrat Ghani (Conservative) on Monday, 29 April 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Cyprus: Air Routes

Question: To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, whether he has had discussions with his counterparts in (a) the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and (b) Cyprus on the potential merits of introducing direct flights from UK airports to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the last 12 months.

Answer: In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. Under the Chicago Convention, only the Republic of Cyprus may designate Cypriot airports for international flights. It has not done so for Ercan airport. As such, it is not possible to fly directly between the UK and the north of Cyprus. Ministers have not discussed this topic with the Cypriot government or Turkish Cypriot administration. The FCDO does not hold data on arrivals to Ercan airport.

Secondary information