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Flights between Israel and Cyprus were canceled on Friday, and planes from Europe and the U.S. were rerouted to Larnaca and Paphos airports after Israel launched a major overnight strike on Iran, raising fears of a wider conflict in the region.
Hermes Airports, which manages both of Cyprus’ main airports, confirmed that all flights to and from Israel were grounded. At the same time, a number of international flights that were supposed to fly through the affected region had to make emergency landings in Cyprus.
Passengers from the diverted planes were taken off the aircraft and are currently waiting inside the airports or have been moved to nearby hotels.
Cypriot airport officials say they’ve managed to handle all the unexpected landings and have opened a special crisis center at Larnaca Airport to help manage the situation.
Flights to and from other destinations are continuing as normal, according to Hermes.
The disruptions come just hours after Israel carried out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, claiming it was a necessary step to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons. The attack has triggered serious concern about a possible wider war, and Iran has already promised to strike back.
Extra security across Cyprus
Police in Cyprus have stepped up security at airports, ports, and other public places where Israeli citizens are known to gather. A police spokesperson told the Cyprus News Agency that although strong security measures were already in place, they’ve now been tightened even more, including outside the Israeli Embassy in Nicosia.
President Nikos Christodoulides has also called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, set to take place at 5 p.m. on Friday. The government says it’s staying on high alert and is closely watching how things unfold.
Cyprus has also activated its national emergency plan, known as “ESTIA,” which is used to help foreign nationals get to safety through the island when there’s a crisis in the region. The plan positions Cyprus once again as a key escape route and support hub during Middle East conflicts.
This is a developing story. More updates will follow.
