Northern Cyprus travel ban challenged

Direct air access from the UK to northern Cyprus could be resumed if a court challenge to the current ban on such travel is upheld.

The ban, which has lasted since Turkey's invasion of the island in 1974, is being challenged by Cyprus Turkish Airlines, which flies 100,000 Britons to the unofficial republic each year but cannot do so directly from Britain.

Lifting the prohibition would have "huge, symbolic importance" for the country, the high court in London was told.

Such a move could also encourage those looking to invest in property in the north at a time when talks are ongoing about possible Cypriot reunification.

Those who do invest in northern Cyprus must ensure they carry out very thorough legal checks due to the pitfalls that buying in the region pose, chief executive of the Association of International Property Professionals Paul Owen recently warned.

He was speaking after a UK couple bought land that a court later ruled should be handed over to a Greek Cypriot who was forced to leave the plot in the 1974 invasion.