Department of Civil Aviation denies drone show request for Fidias Panayiotou's wedding

The Department of Civil Aviation of Cyprus denied a request for a drone show during the wedding of Member of the European Parliament Fidias Panayiotou. The department stated that the refusal was based on strict aviation safety regulations and not on discriminatory grounds. According to the department, the application failed to include all necessary documentation required under European Union standards. Specific missing items included the required derogation process from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and confirmation from the aviation authority in the country where the operating company is licensed. Fidias Panayiotou publicly criticized the department, citing bureaucracy and corruption as reasons for the denial. The department responded by emphasizing that safety standards are non-negotiable regardless of the applicant's status. They noted that despite efforts to assist, the mandatory verification processes could not be completed within the required timeframe.