Operators join forces to fight ban on direct flights to North Cyprus
Rival holiday companies to Northern Cyprus have joined forces to persuade the UK Government to change its rules on direct flights to the region.
Direct flights to the Turkish-controlled north have been banned from the UK since Cyprus became a divided island in 1974.
But operators say the ban should now be lifted as a growing number of British citizens are choosing to holiday there.
Northern Cyprus specialist, Direct Traveller, is backing a move by Cyprus Turkish Airlines for a change in the law.
Managing Director Ramadan Ozdemir explained: “We are supporting CTA, even though its tour operator arm is our competitor because we believe the Civil Aviation Authority and the UK Government needs to rethink its unjust policy.
“Now is the time to present a united front for the sake of our holiday industry.â€
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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