EditPressure mounts on Cyprus to establish state-owned air navigation company
Cyprus’ Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR) generated nearly 500,000 minutes of delays in 2019 alone, costing airlines more than €50 million per year
Cyprus is facing renewed calls to finalise a long-delayed reform of its air navigation services by creating a dedicated state-owned company, according to a strongly worded letter from the European air traffic controllers’ union.
In a letter sent on Friday to President Nikos Christodoulides and the Ministers of Transport and Finance, the ATCEUC (Air Traffic Controllers European Union Coordination) described the establishment of the Cyprus Air Navigation Services (CyANS) as a strategic necessity – both for Cyprus and for the wider European aviation network.
Why the reform is needed
The union emphasised that Cyprus has already made “notable progress” in preparing CyANS, a project supported by EUROCONTROL since 2013. The new structure would:
- Separate regulatory oversight from operational service provision (a requirement under the EU’s Single European Sky framework that Cyprus has yet to fully meet);
- Improve safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance;
- Modernise systems and increase staffing levels.
Cost of inaction
Cyprus’ Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR) was a major source of delays across Europe before the pandemic. In 2019 alone, it generated nearly 500,000 minutes of delays, costing airlines more than €50 million per year.
With air traffic in the region forecast to exceed pre-pandemic levels between 2027 and 2030, ATCEUC warned that further delays in reform could turn Cyprus into a significant bottleneck once again.
Expected benefits
According to the union, a fully operational CyANS by 2027 could:
- Virtually eliminate Cyprus-related delays by 2029;
- Save airlines approximately €55 million annually;
- Generate net positive public revenues of €12.5–€26 million per year;
- Create up to 360 high-skilled jobs.
The union offered technical support for a smooth transition and urged the government to avoid any further postponement.
Local support
The Cyprus Air Traffic Controllers Association (PASΕΕΚ) echoed these concerns, warning that continued delays could compromise both safety and operational reliability.
The government has not yet issued a public response to the latest letter. The creation of CyANS has been under discussion for over a decade as part of broader efforts to modernise Cyprus’ aviation sector and align it with European standards.
The original article by EUalive’s partner Politis can be found here.
Caption: Visual by @eurocontrol on X
Updated: May 16, 2026 - 07:35
