Girne Ferry Disaster Sends Flight Ticket Prices Soaring Above 35,000 TL

Flight ticket prices to Northern Cyprus have surged following the capsizing of a passenger ferry travelling between Girne and Taşucu, leaving passengers who have had to travel by air facing sharply higher fares.

The 267 passenger vessel was travelling between Girne in Northern Cyprus and Taşucu in southern Turkey when it capsized. Following the accident, some passengers were forced to look for alternative ways to travel, with air travel becoming the main option.

Flights Between Çukurova and Ercan Reach More Than 35,000 TL

Flight tickets for the approximately 45 to 50 minute journey between Çukurova International Airport and Ercan Airport were reportedly being offered for more than 35,000 TL.

The sharp increase in prices has triggered criticism on social media, particularly from passengers and families who say they have little choice but to travel by air following the ferry accident.

According to Kıbrıs Postası, the sudden increase in demand led airlines to apply dynamic pricing and last minute fares, prompting widespread criticism.

Many people argued that commercial considerations and normal supply and demand principles should take a back seat during an emergency situation.

Girne Mayor Criticises Rising Airfares

Girne Mayor Murat Şenkul also criticised the increase in flight prices in a social media post.

Referring to hundreds of people waiting at Girne Port, Şenkul said many were already in difficult circumstances, including people whose leave had ended or who urgently needed to return to their home countries.

He said that although increased demand for flights following the accident was understandable, the sharp rise in prices was not.

Şenkul noted that tickets that had previously cost around 6,000 TL had risen to approximately 22,000 TL because of the sudden demand.

He criticised what he described as a continued commercial approach even under such difficult circumstances, saying that the situation should not prevent people from taking the necessary steps following the accident.

The ferry disaster has therefore created a second problem for passengers, with those unable to continue their journey by sea now facing significantly higher costs to reach Northern Cyprus or return home.