Airspace Temporarily Transferred to Ankara

“There is a serious shortage of both staff and equipment in air traffic control,” Kapısız said, confirming that the country’s airspace is being handed over to Ankara during specific time slots.

“This is not a permanent transfer,” he stated. “We transfer control to Ankara when our staffing is insufficient. It is a precautionary measure and proof that our long-standing warnings have gone unheeded.”

Kapısız emphasized that a safe air traffic system requires a sufficient number of qualified personnel. “Announcing job openings alone isn’t enough. We’ve fallen below the critical number of staff needed to provide safe operations. We’ve been issuing warnings for the past ten years, but none of our suggestions were taken seriously,” he added.

He also expressed concern about the implications of these transfers, noting that even temporary handovers undermine the TRNC’s operational independence. “This is not a situation we ever desired,” he said. “Control remains with us when our teams and equipment are sufficient. But when we fall short, Ankara’s team steps in.”

Kapısız concluded by reiterating that the current arrangement is a temporary and necessary solution in light of the staffing crisis.