ATHENS – Yet another pair of Turkish fighter jets entered the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) without submitting flight plans on Tuesday afternoon. According to the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, they then flew over the islands of Agathonissi, Lipsi, Arkious and Leros at 13:44, 13:46, 13:49 and 13:52, respectively, at altitudes ranging between 11,000 and 26,000 feet.

Greek fighter jets identified and intercepted the Turkish F-16s, according to the international rules.

It was the third time on Tuesday that Turkish military aircraft infringed the Athens FIR and flew over Greek islands.

Another pair of Turkish F-16s entered the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) without submitting flight plans on Tuesday and then flew over the islands of Panaghia and Oinousses at 13:07, 13:00 and 13:12 at 7,000 feet, according to the Hellenic National Defence General Staff.

The Turkish fighter jets were recognised and intercepted by Greek fighter planes, according to international rules.

Earlier today, another pair of Turkish F-16 fighter jets entered the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) on Tuesday without submitting flight plans and then proceeded to fly over Levida, north-east of Amorgos, at 10:02, at an altitude of 20,000 feet, the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS) announced.

The Turkish military aircraft also flew over the islands of Oinousses and Panaghia at 10:45, at an altitude of 26,000 feet.

The Turkish F-16s were recognised and intercepted by Greek fighter jets according to international rules.

In the last two weeks of December, Turkish aircraft had flown over the islands of Oinousses and Panaghia multiple times.