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Israeli airlines EL AL, Arkia, and Israir will now land exclusively at Larnaca International Airport due to a directive issued by Israel’s Internal Security Agency late Sunday night. The agency, citing undisclosed security reasons, announced that the new flight routes to Cyprus will remain in effect until further notice.
The decision was conveyed to Israeli media through a statement issued by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. Meanwhile, Israeli Channel 12 reported that security officials have kept the reasons for the directive under wraps, adding to speculation about the potential risks prompting the change.
Cyprus Authorities Aware but Tight-Lipped
In Cyprus, Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou confirmed the changes, noting that authorities on the island are fully informed about the situation. Speaking to RIK, Antoniou emphasized that flights to and from Larnaca airport have been operating normally in recent days.
Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis, during an appearance on the program First Update, reiterated that Cypriot authorities are in contact with their Israeli counterparts. “There is nothing to announce at the moment,” Letymbiotis said when pressed for further details. When asked if concerns of a potential terrorist attack were behind the directive, he urged caution. “Let’s not draw conclusions. It’s something being carefully assessed by both sides,” he added.
Heightened Security Amid Speculation
While the specific security threat remains unclear, the sudden decision to reroute all Israeli flights to Larnaca has raised eyebrows. Security experts suggest that measures of this magnitude are typically taken as a precaution against potential risks, such as increased geopolitical tensions or intelligence reports of specific threats.
For now, travelers on Israeli airlines will continue to use Larnaca International Airport exclusively as authorities on both sides work to address the underlying concerns.
