TRNC Passenger Carriers Association Demands Fuel Price Regulation

Passenger Transport Crisis in Northern Cyprus

The Cyprus Turkish Passenger Carriers Association stated in Northern Cyprus on March 13, 2026, that the sharp rise in fuel prices has seriously affected the industry, as reported by the association's president, Beksan Bekir Akandere.

The statement noted that fuel costs account for a significant portion of carriers' expenses, and many businesses involved in passenger transport, tourism and school routes, as well as staff transport, have begun to experience financial difficulties.

Public transport is not a luxury but a public service, and expecting fuel prices to drop may be unrealistic.

Proposed Support Measures

As an alternative, government intervention through tax and fund incentives has been proposed. The Cyprus Turkish Passenger Carriers Association demanded the introduction of the following measures:

• A special cheap diesel fuel program for licensed passenger vehicles;
• Reduction of VAT and fund payments levied on fuel;
• Special rules in the taxation of fuel consumption for public transport;
• Issuance of discounted fuel via cards based on plate numbers or licenses;
• Inclusion of the sector in government support programs.

The document warns that in the absence of regulation, reduced flight frequencies, lower employment, and increased transport costs are possible. The association called for urgent measures to maintain the sector's operations and the sustainability of the transport system in Northern Cyprus.