**Exports from North’s Ercan Airport Come to a Standstill**
Exports from Ercan Airport, located in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, have nearly ground to a halt, as reported on Friday. The issue stems from the lack of a designated controlled area for cargo exports at the airport, which has severely limited the types of goods that can be transported.
According to reports from the news website Haber Kibris, the only items currently being exported from Ercan Airport are blood and deceased individuals. The situation has arisen due to the failure to establish a separate and controlled customs area during the construction of the new Ercan airport, which opened its doors in 2023. Since its inauguration, both imported and exported cargo have been processed in an area that was originally intended for parking vehicles. This makeshift arrangement has led to significant operational challenges.
The cargo processing area is equipped with eight separate entrance gates and an x-ray machine, which has been described as inadequate for the volume and type of cargo that needs to be handled. Last summer, Turkey’s General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMI) identified approximately 40 deficiencies in the cargo handling processes at Ercan Airport. Many of these issues remain unresolved, leading to a significant decline in export capabilities.
As a direct consequence of these ongoing problems, Turkish Airlines, the flag carrier of Turkey, has ceased accepting export cargo from Ercan Airport. Sinan Oztekin, head of the Turkish Cypriot customs department, stated that the root of the problem lies in the cargo warehouse not meeting international standards. He emphasized that the situation is not a result of actions taken by the Turkish Cypriot authorities but rather a failure on the part of T&T, the airport’s operating company, to fulfill their commitments regarding the facility’s infrastructure.
Oztekin expressed a desire for the situation to improve swiftly, suggesting that if construction on the necessary facilities begins, it might encourage Turkish Airlines to reconsider their stance on accepting cargo from Ercan. He indicated that discussions on addressing the issue are expected to commence within the next week or two.
In addition to the cargo export challenges, Yakup Iskender, director of the Turkish Cypriot post office, highlighted that since August 14, mail bound for Turkey and other international destinations—amounting to approximately one tonne of cargo daily—has also been unable to be sent by air. As a result, with the exception of blood and deceased individuals, mail is now being dispatched via sea transport. Iskender lamented that this method significantly prolongs delivery times, stating, “It is not our fault. They are keeping us waiting.”
The current situation at Ercan Airport raises concerns about the implications for trade and logistics in the region. The inability to export goods effectively not only affects businesses reliant on timely shipments but also poses challenges for the transportation of essential items. The Turkish Cypriot authorities are under pressure to rectify the deficiencies identified by Turkish aviation authorities to restore normal operations at the airport.
As discussions progress and plans for improvements are initiated, stakeholders in the region remain hopeful for a resolution that will reinstate Ercan Airport as a viable hub for cargo exports.