Cyprus’ Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) on 24 July published Light Aviation Bulletin 052/26, updating restrictions on visual-flight-rules (VFR) circuit training in the Larnaca Flight Information Area (FIR) for 27-31 July. The notice bans low-level manoeuvres at Landas Field (LFA) and Maroni Flying Area (MFA) between 06:00-10:00 UTC and 14:00-18:00 UTC due to high-intensity military exercises and an elevated forest-fire risk. Although the restrictions target general-aviation pilots, they will also influence corporate flight departments and helicopter shuttle operators that use the corridors for positioning flights between Larnaca International Airport (LCA) and offshore energy installations. Operators must file alternative routings via Larnaca VOR point ‘LCA’ at or above 2 500 ft MSL and maintain two-way radio contact with Nicosia ACC. The DCA has asked all crews flying anywhere over Cyprus to report sightings of wildfires to Nicosia ACC or the Larnaca and Paphos towers. The directive follows three large blazes in the Troodos foothills earlier this week and coincides with an uptick in aerial firefighting sorties involving National Guard AW-139 helicopters. Business-aviation implications: • Expect slot-allocation delays at LCA during the afternoon peak when training flights are rerouted. • Plan fuel uplift accordingly; holding times may increase by 10-15 minutes. • Check that dispatch teams have downloaded the latest LAB 052/26 PDF and NOTAM series ‘A2205/26’. The bulletin is valid until 31 July but may be extended if high-fire conditions persist. Mobility managers moving executives in or out of Cyprus this week should liaise with local handlers to confirm updated flight plans.
