Newsroom
A Turkish airline is preparing to launch a new flight route that will connect London to the occupied north of Cyprus via Istanbul’s secondary airport, raising both eyebrows and questions on the island.
According to reports in Turkish Cypriot media, Ajet, a Turkish low-cost airline and subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, will begin operating flights on July 26 from London Stansted to Tymbou (Ercan) airport, with a brief stopover at Sabiha Gökçen airport in Istanbul. The round-trip fare is expected to cost €250, regardless of the seat selected.
The news was confirmed by Orhan Tolun, head of the “Turkish Cypriot Travel Agents Association” (KITSAB), who said the fare will be a flat rate for all passengers, and not limited to specific seats or travel dates.
The decision to route the flight through Sabiha Gökçen Airport, rather than the larger Istanbul Airport, was made for practical reasons. “Passengers won’t need to disembark during the stopover,” Tolun said, adding that the smaller terminal means shorter transfer distances and less time wasted.
However, it’s not just about convenience. Under international aviation rules, direct international flights into the occupied north are not permitted, as the Tymbou airport is not recognized by international aviation authorities and does not hold a security certificate. That’s why all flights to and from the occupied territories must transit through Turkey, where passengers technically “change flights,” even if they never leave their seats.
While these flights are nothing new for the Turkish-controlled north, the launch of a new route from a major European city like London may raise diplomatic concerns, particularly for the Republic of Cyprus, which considers Tymbou an illegal airport operating in violation of international law.
The move also comes amid growing tensions over efforts by the Turkish Cypriot side to push for greater international visibility, including in tourism and travel. For now, however, the only legal international gateways into Cyprus remain Larnaca and Paphos airports, both under the control of the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus.
