In-flight lessons on the Cyprus problem

Returning home to Cyprus last Friday (flight 359 from Manchester), my husband and I were considerably startled by the final announcement from the flight deck just before we landed at Larnaca, which apart from the usual information regarding landing and weather conditions included a gratuitous and to our minds quite uncalled-for summary of the ‘Cyprus problem’, lasting perhaps some three minutes. This was clearly the speaker’s personal political view, and could in no way have been authorised by (or reflect the official position of) Cyprus Airways. The Cypriot lady sitting beside us was equally astonished.

The passengers on this flight were presumably mostly either Cypriots, or (like ourselves) permanent residents/frequent visitors, or tourists. The first two categories are well aware of the history and situation; tourists may or may not be aware on this subject, but we submit that CY employees have no right to proselytise their captive audience in such an unwarranted and improper manner.

We are sending a copy of this message to the Chairman of Cyprus Airways.

Peter & Hilary Ives

Nicosia

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.