Cyprus Turkish Airlines (CTA) is challenging a 35 year old rule in the High Court which currently forbids direct flights from the UK to Northern Cyprus.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is not recognised as an independent country, therefore under the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, it is necessary to land in Turkey before continuing to Northern Cyprus. The ban enforce in 1974 when the island of Cyprus divided.

The government has come under criticism for claiming that it is in favour of direct flights then saying that they would be contrary to the Chicago Convention.

The CTA protest that having to land in Turkey increases flight times, fuel emissions and airfares so serves no useful purpose to anyone. They added it is also unfair to Northern Cyprus citizens needing to travel to and from their own country.

Lawyers for CTA will contend that the government has misunderstood the Chicago Convention at the High Court in London, appealing that there is no justification for banning flights under international law.