Holiday rentals news - Ban on direct flights from UK to Northern Cyprus challenged

Ban on direct flights from UK to Northern Cyprus challenged

The ban on direct flights between the UK and Northern Cyprus has been challenged at London's High Court. Under UK regulation, flights have not been permitted between the two destinations for 35 years.

The action was brought against the UK government by Cyprus Turkey Airlines (CTA), reports The Daily Mail. CTA says that the ban has caused "considerable inconvenience" for travellers. Approximately 100,000 passengers travel from the UK to Northern Cyprus each year with CTA.

At present, UK holidaymakers renting villas in Cyprus have to land in Turkey before flying onto the northern districts of Famagusta and Kyrenia . Airlines must also travel via Turkey en-route back to the UK.

CTA argues that having to land in Turkey increases flight times, airfares and fuel emissions. The airline's lawyers appeared in court on May 18, claiming that there is no justification for banning direct flights under international law.

CTA describes the UK's refusal to overturn the ban as "unlawful and unjust". However, the UK government says that it is in favour of direct flights, but they would contravene the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, which details the rights of its signatories in relation to air travel.

The ban was implemented in 1974 when Cyprus became a divided island nation. As a result, direct flights from the UK to the Turkish ruled north of Cyprus were no longer permitted.

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