Şahiner: "Ercan Airport's Operating Period Extended, Causing Billions in Losses to the State"

Şahiner argued that, following the 59 million Euro tax exemption granted last year, another benefit amounting to approximately 100 million Euro has now been granted to Emrullah Turanlı, the operator of the airport.

In a written statement, Şahiner detailed that, on June 5, a new Arbitration Panel was established to resolve alleged disputes between the state and the T&T company, following the signing of "Supplementary Agreement 5" last year. He accused the Arbitration Panel of opening up a lucrative opportunity worth 100 million Euro for Turanlı.

Şahiner stated, "The billions of Turkish Lira that could have been used for healthcare, transportation, education, and production support will instead be funneled into the coffers of the operating company."

He also revealed that the Arbitration Panel extended the operating period by nearly three years, with the airport, originally scheduled to be handed over to the state in 2042, now delayed until November 19, 2044. This extension, according to Şahiner, will result in the state losing nearly 90 million Euro in revenue.

Furthermore, Şahiner claimed that the Arbitration Panel fined the state 19 million Euro, citing deficiencies in the construction of a runway that the T&T company was supposed to complete.

Şahiner concluded by criticizing the government for what he called "an extravagant favor" to the operating company, arguing that the state is being forced to take on high-interest debt to cover the resulting financial shortfall. He vowed to continue exposing what he described as the "usurpation and corruption" affecting the future of the Turkish Cypriot people, promising that those responsible will eventually be held accountable.