The plane that Turkey prevented from entering its airspace arrives in Cyprus at night

Defence Redefined

Published on 13/05/2020 at 17:30

Turkey has not allowed a plane carrying medical equipment to Cyprus from China to fly through its airspace. 

As the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Giannis Karousos, told CNA, “Turkey did not allow the pilot of the aircraft to enter its airspace on its way to Cyprus, as a result of which the pilot re-calculated his course because he would not have enough fuel to get to Cyprus. The pilot has changed course and is heading to Moscow airport in Russia, where he will land in order to refuel.”

He added that “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus has been informed of the incident in order to take the necessary steps where necessary. The plane with the medical equipment is expected to arrive at Larnaca airport around 8 tonight.”

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works had announced earlier today that in the context of preventing and dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and following coordinated actions with the Ministry of Health and the Embassy of Cyprus in the People’s Republic of China, it has arranged for medical equipment to be transported. 

The medical supplies were expected to arrive today, Wednesday, at around 13.30, at Larnaca Airport by a plane specially chartered by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works for this purpose from China’s Tianjin Airport.

The aircraft carries 36 tons of medical equipment that includes, among other things, protective uniforms, shoe covers, single-use surgical uniforms and protective masks.

According to reports, the plane made a turn in the Black Sea and headed north towards Moscow, after Turkey’s refusal to allow it to enter its airspace.

As can be seen from the relevant video of the flight aware, this is a Boeing 777 – 31 H (ER) aircraft. The plane was flying to the borders of Georgia’s and Russia’s FIR , before entering Turkey’s FIR , where it was forced to interrupt its course. It then toured the area for about 15 minutes and then changed course and headed for Moscow, where it landed shortly after 2:00 p.m.