Cyprus has protested to international aviation organizations after a Turkish airliner hovered at low height over south Nicosia in the afternoon on June 8, leaving local people in panic.

"The Civil Aviation Department of the Cyprus Ministry of Communications and Works has taken all the necessary steps and has filed protests with all the international aviation organizations, including the Euro control, regarding an incident with a Turkish aircraft," Nicos Nicolaides, Minister of Communication and Works, told media on June 9.

The Turkish Boeing plane accidentally entered south Nicosia and flew at a height as low as 600 meters overhead, when it was waiting for landing at an airport in the Turkish Cypriot north.

The noisy flight scared many local Greek Cypriots.

Cyprus, including its capital city Nicosia, has been divided since 1974 when Turkey militarily intervened and occupied the north of the island following a coup by a group of Greek officers.

In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot authorities declared breakaway and set up "the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which is recognized only by Turkey.

Turkey refuses to cooperate with the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus and denies access to Greek Cypriot aircraft.