The opening of the new Ercan Airport in Northern Cyprus has recently raised doubts about its feasibility.
However, from August 2023 to February 2024 there is a noticeable increase in both the number of passengers and incoming flights.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW AIRPORT:
- Capacity: up to 10 million passengers per year .
- Investment in construction: 450 million euros .
- Terminal area: 128 thousand square meters .
- Runway length: 3200 meters .
- Runway width: 45 meters .
- Number of check-in counters: 60.
- Passport control points: 44 (24 for departing and 20 for arriving passengers).
According to statistics published in official publications of Northern Cyprus for a period of seven months in 2023, the number of aircraft arrivals increased by 24% compared to the same period of the previous year. For example, while 13,524 aircraft arrivals were recorded from August 2022 to February 2023 the number increased to 16,747 from August 2023 to February 2024 , airport officials said.
The number of passengers also increased significantly by 32% : from 1,977,925 between August 2022 and February 2023 to an impressive 2,607,920 from August 2023 to February 2024.
In addition, the number of people entering Northern Cyprus through land borders has increased, namely: from 3,484,382 people in 2022 to 4,672,000 in 2023.
These figures clearly demonstrate the strengthening of Northern Cyprus's status as a major tourist destination with clear prospects for future growth. Steady growth in passenger traffic has continued for many months.
The attractiveness of Northern Cyprus as a tourist destination is not limited to this. It offers many profitable opportunities for investors and builders. Leading construction companies in Northern Cyprus are playing a key role in meeting the growing demand of both tourists and investors by offering high quality projects.
In addition, the government of Northern Cyprus, led by President Ersin Tatar, is doing everything possible to unlock not only the tourism potential of the TRNC, but also the country’s presence in the international arena. This is confirmed by the government's active participation in various tourism exhibitions not only in Turkey, but also in Russia and Germany.
Only in March 2024, Northern Cyprus took part in several significant events:
- Presentation at ITB Berlin: At the largest travel exhibition ITB in Berlin, information about the Global Medical Tourism Forum (GHTF-2024), which will be held in Northern Cyprus in April 2024, was presented.
- Calling German businessmen to invest: TRNC President Ersin Tatar, during his visit to Germany, visited the building of the Independent Association of Industrialists and Businessmen (MÜSİAD) in Berlin, where he called on German businessmen to invest in the TRNC.
- Participation in the tourism exhibition in Moscow: The Association of Turkish Cypriots and Travel Agencies (KITSAB) represented Northern Cyprus at the 30th International Exhibition of Tourism and Hospitality Industry (MITT-2024) in Moscow. The stand featured extensive promotional material about the country's tourism potential.
Overall, the growing tourism sector and investment potential of Northern Cyprus shows promise for a promising future, supported by strategic initiatives and aspirations for development.
