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Dozens of flights were cancelled at Cyprus’ two international airports on Sunday as escalating war in the Middle East sent shockwaves through global aviation, leaving travelers stranded and forcing airlines to halt regional routes.
A total of 48 flights were cancelled on March 1, according to airport authorities, 36 at Larnaca Airport and 12 at Paphos Airport, with all services to and from Middle Eastern destinations suspended amid growing security concerns.
The cancellations come as airspace closures and military escalation following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran continue to ripple across international travel, grounding aircraft and creating uncertainty for passengers across Europe and the Gulf.
Travel plans suddenly grounded
Passengers arriving at airports Sunday were met with departure boards filled with cancellations, particularly affecting routes linked to Israel, the Gulf states, and neighboring regional hubs.
Airlines moved quickly to suspend operations after multiple Middle Eastern countries shut or restricted their airspace, making normal flight paths unsafe or impossible. Aviation analysts say airlines had little choice but to cancel flights outright rather than attempt lengthy reroutes.
Globally, the disruption has been massive. Thousands of flights have already been cancelled across the region, with major hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi heavily affected as airlines paused operations and reassessed safety risks.
Cyprus caught in the middle, geographically and logistically
Cyprus’ location at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East means the island often feels the immediate impact of regional crises.
Flights connecting Cyprus with Israel and other nearby destinations were among the first to be scrapped, while some aircraft were diverted or forced to turn back mid-journey following the escalation.
Airport operator Hermes Airports has been coordinating with airlines throughout the weekend as the situation evolves hour by hour.
Despite the disruption, flights to European destinations are largely continuing as scheduled, helping prevent wider chaos at the airports.
A wider aviation crisis unfolding
The conflict has triggered one of the largest air travel disruptions in recent years. Airspace closures across several Middle Eastern countries have effectively emptied major flight corridors linking Europe, Asia and Africa, forcing airlines worldwide to suspend or reroute services.
Industry experts warn passengers should expect continued uncertainty in the coming days, with delays and cancellations likely to persist as long as military activity continues.
What travelers should know
Authorities are urging passengers scheduled to travel to:
- Check flight status directly with airlines before heading to the airport
- Expect last-minute schedule changes
- Monitor official announcements as the security situation develops
For now, Cyprus airports remain operational, but the skies to the east are largely closed.
