Cyprus Turkish Airlines is set to return after 18 years. The target date is 2028.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines, also known by its Turkish acronym KTHY, is scheduled to reappear in the skies in 2028. This promise was made by Turkish Cypriot "Prime Minister" Ünal Üstel during a meeting of his UBP party.

However, the carrier's return is contingent on UBP's victory in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The new line is to be established under a public-private partnership formula. The operating model, schedule, and other details are to be presented on October 12th.

For now, it's just a preview, not a finished line.

Ünal Üstel announced that the revived Cyprus Turkish Airlines will begin operations in 2028. He argued that the carrier will increase competition, help stabilize ticket prices, and support the tourism sector in the northern part of the island.

At this stage, however, no information has been provided about the investors, fleet, planned routes, required certificates or the exact method of financing the project.

It is also unclear whether an independent airline with its own aircraft and staff will be established, or a virtual carrier outsourcing flight operations to other companies.

The announcement should therefore be treated as a political declaration and an element of the election campaign, and not as information about the establishment of an operating airline.

Cyprus Turkish Airlines flew for 35 years

Cyprus Turkish Airlines began operations in 1975. Half of the company was owned by Turkish Airlines and the other half by the Turkish Cypriot administration.

At its peak, the airline operated flights from Ercan Airport in Tymbou via Turkey to destinations in the UK and other European countries.

In the late 2000s, the carrier began experiencing serious financial problems. Turkish Airlines withdrew its shares in 2005, and the company's debt in 2010 was reported to be around $140 million.

Attempts to find an investor proved unsuccessful. The only bid came from Turkey's AtlasJet. Cyprus Turkish Airlines suspended flights on June 21, 2010, and officially ceased operations eight days later.

This would be the third attempt to create a carrier

If Üstel's plan were to be implemented, it would be the third airline presented as a Turkish Cypriot carrier and the second one launched during his term as "prime minister".

Fly Kıbrıs Airlines, abbreviated as FlyKHY, operated from 2023 to 2024. It was a private virtual airline that outsourced flight and aircraft operations to Turkish carriers Freebird Airlines and Air Anka.

FlyKHY operated for about a year and a half before disappearing from the market. Their short existence demonstrates that the creation of a carrier does not guarantee its sustainability or profitability.

Will the airline be able to fly directly to Europe?

The launch of Cyprus Turkish Airlines alone will not change the status of Ercan Airport in Tymbou. The northern part of the island is not recognized as a separate country outside of Turkey, so the airport does not operate regular direct international flights to European countries.

Currently, flights from Ercan run through Turkey. The flight can be sold as a single connection, but the aircraft must land at a Turkish airport.

If the legal and political situation does not change, the reactivated Cyprus Turkish Airlines will also have to organize European connections via Turkey.

Ercan Airport is currently served by four Turkish airlines: Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, AJet and SunExpress.

Pre-election promise

The announcement of Cyprus Turkish Airlines' return comes ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in the northern part of the island. December 6th is the likely date for voting, but the final date has not yet been confirmed.

Üstel presented the airline's revival as its next major project, following the launch of the new terminal at Ercan Airport. He assured that the airline would support tourism, increase transportation capacity, and have a stabilizing effect on ticket prices.

The veracity of these declarations will have to be assessed at least until October 12th. Only then will information about the future company's structure, investors, and the planned path to launching flights in 2028 be revealed.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, Kıbrıs Postası, Gündem Kıbrıs