Air Traffic Controllers Union Strike at Ercan Airport

"Despite repeated warnings, aviation and aviation safety in the country continue to be undermined by the state," Kapısız said, adding that "since the privatization of Ercan Airport, it has been transformed into a state institution operated to generate revenue for T&T, rather than providing air transportation services to passengers."

"Ercan Airport is not a legacy of politicians, it belongs to the people," Kapısız noted. "Neither ministers, deputies, nor governments can hand over public property to capital, and you cannot risk people's lives and property for the sake of making money for others."

Kapısız alleged that "the new terminal building was put into operation on July 20, 2023, despite not being ready, for political ambitions," adding that the deficiencies and operation of the new building have imposed new burdens on the company.

Arguing that "the government considers it its duty to cover the company's financial burdens," Kapısız claimed that "although all expenses belong to the company, as clearly stated in the contracts, additional contracts have been made to relieve the company of expenses," and alleged that "millions of dollars have been given away through these contracts."

Kapısız further alleged that "the authority to evaluate these contracts has been taken away from the TRNC authorities and given to an arbitration board to be appointed by the Republic of Turkey," adding that "while doing all this, you have put on hold what needs to be done for aviation services and safety."

"Despite two near misses in the last five months due to Ercan's technical deficiencies, you have not learned from this. As if all this were not enough, you are turning a blind eye to the cost-cutting policies of subcontracting companies, their employment of slave labor, and the consequent reduction in service. What are you waiting for? For a new dangerous situation to occur and this time result in an accident? Or for Ercan State Airport to become a business that has turned into a slave market? Are you the government of this people or of capital?"

"The conditions you have created for aviation do not fit the conscience of us workers. Whether T&T is financially capable of operating the field at this point is not even our concern. Safety in aviation is non-negotiable, and no one has the right to jeopardize aviation safety. Enforce what the rules require or do it yourself. We are also fed up with the company's excuses that it is losing money and avoiding expenses. If someone is losing money, let them leave it as it is and go without causing further damage. If you cannot sustain aviation in this country as it should be, you too should resign immediately and vacate those seats."