On 19 August the Cyprus air traffic controllers’ union reported a dangerous proximity between a Turkish military aircraft and a passenger Boeing 737-800 in Nicosia’s area of responsibility. The military aircraft did not respond to the controllers’ calls and, without coordination, began climbing. At the same time the Boeing was descending to an adjacent flight level. The controllers timely stopped the passenger aircraft’s descent, thereby preventing a collision.

What is the reason for the dangerous encounters?

Such violations have been occurring for many years. According to the union, Turkish military aircraft and drones regularly enter Nicosia’s area of responsibility and cross civil aviation routes. At the same time the Turkish side does not maintain contact with Cypriot controllers. As a result they cannot coordinate in advance the movements of military and passenger aircraft.

The problem is linked to the division of Cyprus in 1974. The control centre of the unrecognised airport of Tymbou (Ercan) in the occupied part of the island manages flights in part of Nicosia’s area of responsibility. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) does not recognise this centre. Its instructions may contradict those of the Nicosia controllers and create confusion for crews.

https://lenta.cy/tureckij-voennyj-samoljot-edva-ne-stolknulsja-s-boeing-737-nad-nikosiej/