Besim Tibuk Slams Airlines Over High Ticket Prices To Cyprus

Speaking on TV 2020’s Son Durum programme hosted by Reşat Akar, Tibuk assessed tourism prospects for 2025, noting that transportation costs have risen even further this year. He said air travel remains one of the island’s biggest challenges, stressing that high airfare prices are placing a heavy burden on both residents and visitors.

Tibuk argued that the failure to increase the number of flights has compounded price hikes, describing air transport as the “biggest blow” to the country. He criticised the government for not taking a stronger stance against the situation.

Calling for airlines to be put under pressure in order to save tourism, Tibuk said the issue could only be resolved if Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan were to instruct Turkish Airlines (THY) to intervene.

Pointing to THY’s global standing, Tibuk said the airline does not show the same level of attention to Cyprus as it does to international destinations. He cited Batumi as an example, noting that although it is roughly twice as far from Turkey as Cyprus, flights to Batumi cost about half as much. This, he argued, demonstrates that the pricing is not purely commercial and reflects a lack of importance attached to Cyprus.