Low-flying aircraft over Nicosia as parade rehearsal gets under way
Residents in the capital should expect jets and aircraft at low altitude around 11am on Tuesday, part of preparations for the October 1 independence parade, the National Guard says.
Nicosia will hear aircraft overhead at roughly 11am on Tuesday, September 29, according to the National Guard General Staff. The low passes are a rehearsal for the military parade marking 66 years since the Republic of Cyprus declared independence, and the staff said there is nothing for the public to worry about.
The parade itself falls on October 1, a date used since the early 1960s to spare the celebrations the heat of the summer holiday period. Units of the National Guard, Greek forces based on the island, the police and the fire service take part, and the President traditionally speaks afterwards.
The island spent the years from 1878 to 1960 under British administration. Independence on August 16, 1960 was underwritten by Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom through the London and Zurich Agreements.
What it means for residents
For most people this is a short-lived nuisance rather than a disruption: a burst of engine noise over the capital late in the morning, and a public holiday on Thursday when many shops and offices shut.
- Expect noise, not danger. The 11am overflight is a rehearsal; the General Staff has said there is no cause for alarm.
- Plan around Thursday. Businesses and shops may close nationwide on October 1, and roads near the parade route will be busy.
- If you have pets or young children. Sudden aircraft noise can unsettle them — closing windows ahead of 11am helps.
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