A TURKISH Cypriot travel agency has turned the tables on the Cyprus government over the ban on international air traffic to the north by advertising direct flights to the ‘TRNC’… via Larnaca airport.
Under international law, direct flights to the north cannot be operated without the permission of the Cyprus government, and aircraft must first land in Istanbul before travelling on to Tymbou (Ercan) in the north. This has meant longer flying times for holidays in the north.
But the Kyrenia-based travel agency has found a way to take advantage of the current situation to boost tourism to the north by legitimately using an airport in the south of the island, and subsequently transferring tourists to the north.
Most British tourists would be unaware of the political intricacies involved.
The underhand but not illegal ploy allows them to advertise the fact that they can cut two hours from the usual London-Istanbul-Tymbou route.
The cleverly-worded ads by the Paradise Found Travel Company appearing in British newspapers are titled “Paradise just got closer”, and tout the fact that flights are available from ten airports in the UK using major carriers.
“Until now, visiting the paradise island of northern Cyprus has meant over six hours’ tedious flying time, often with lengthy stopovers en route. Now for the first time in three decades, paradise has got closer… much closer,” the ad says, adding: “In just four hours our direct flights from a choice of ten UK airports will whisk you to this truly unspoilt corner of the Mediterranean.”
According to the company’s website, recent EU legislation and “a relaxation of border controls between the north and south of the island” have made it possible for clients visiting the resorts of Kyrenia and Famagusta freely to use airlines and airports serving the Republic of Cyprus and then transfer over the ‘border’ into the north.
“The effect of this significant change in travel arrangements is dramatic, with flight times reduced by almost a third,” it says.
“Of equal significance is that with the ‘opening up’ of airports in the Republic of Cyprus to visitors travelling to the north, there is now a much greater selection of UK based airlines and departure airports to choose from. The immediate effect is that we can now offer a choice of six different airlines and 10 departure airports as part of our holiday programme.”
The company offers daily scheduled flights and only a 30 minute onward transfer between Larnaca airport and their holiday accommodation. Packages are being offered at starting prices of £289 sterling.
“For Summer 2007, most of our north Cyprus holidays include direct, non-stop flights from the UK… ensuring that wherever you live, you will not be far from your dream north Cyprus holiday,” it added.
Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis said yesterday he would look into the ads. The concern that such a situation would arise was foreseen shortly after the crossing points opened in April 2003 when individuals travelling to the north by air realised it was quicker to arrive via Larnaca.
Now the advantages have been seized on by bigger players. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) said its London office was monitoring everything that happens concerning tourism to the north out of the UK.
“It seems they keep coming up with a fresh approach in trying to attract tourists one way or the other,” a spokesman said yesterday.
