Incursions by Turkish military jets into Greek air space have increased radically this year, with violations of the Athens Flight Information Region rising by 115 percent last month, compared to the monthly average for 2004.

According to figures made public by Greek defense sources, February saw a total of 160 violations of Greek air space committed by Turkish military aircraft, 55 percent up from the monthly average of 107 in 2004 — at the end of which Ankara was granted, with Greek backing, a date for the initiation of European Union entry talks.

Athens FIR infringements rocketed from 210 a month in 2004 to 450 last month, while the number of armed Turkish aircraft straying into Greek air space stood at 64, up from last year’s monthly average of 41.

Last Wednesday alone, a total of 33 Turkish jets had to be chased away, while several simulated dogfights broke out over the Aegean during the process of interception. In addition to the fighter jets, Ankara is sending in an increasing number of photo-reconnaissance aircraft.