The flight safety foundation said on Monday that it holds “deep” concern over Turkey’s continued violations with military aircraft and drones within the Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR).

In a statement responding to recent press coverage, the air traffic controllers’ union announcement and from the civil aviation authority, the foundation said it “expresses its strong concern and condemns” the ongoing activity.

Such actions, it said, are especially problematic “when carried out near critical air routes and in the approach areas of Larnaca and Paphos airports”, creating additional operational risk and placing unnecessary strain on air traffic controllers.

The foundation offered its “full support and recognition” to controllers and technical staff, praising their “high level of professional training and operational readiness”.

Their “constant vigilance and immediate reaction to emergencies or unusual situations” were, it said, decisive in maintaining flight safety standards in Cyprus.

It further acknowledged efforts by the transport ministry and civil aviation department to upgrade systems and procedures at both operational and technical levels.

The statement followed comments from the civil aviation authority, which described the presence of Turkish aircraft in Cypriot airspace as a recurring operational facet that controllers must manage almost daily.

The authority pointed to a recent incident in which action was taken to prevent a British Tui Airways Boeing 737 passenger jet and a Turkish air force A400M military transport aircraft flying too close together, saying such episodes were not unforeseen given the frequency of Turkish activity in the region.

It stressed the importance of distinguishing between a recurring operational phenomenon and the underlying state of aviation safety, adding that the timely handling of such situations reflects the effectiveness of the air traffic control system.

Cyprus has raised the matter repeatedly at the United Nations, for a letter sent in March by the country’s permanent representative recorded some 305 air and 33 naval violations during January and February, involving Bayraktar drones, F-16 and RF-4 fighter jets, and various military transport aircraft, all having entered the Nicosia FIR without diplomatic clearance.