Cyprus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs activated its National Crisis Management Centre late on 7 December after Israel closed Ben Gurion Airport in response to an exchange of strikes with Iran. An urgent advisory—made public on 8 December—urged Cypriot nationals in Israel to avoid non-essential movement, register on the Connect2CY portal and prepare alternative exit routes via Athens or Larnaca.
Consular hotlines were staffed around the clock, and the embassy in Tel Aviv arranged a charter coach to Haifa port in case ferry evacuations became necessary. The advisory also highlighted potential spill-overs to shipping lanes and energy infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean, prompting Cyprus’ National Security Council to review contingency plans for LNG terminals at Vasilikos.
![Cyprus Issues Travel Advisory for Nationals in Israel After Ben Gurion Airport Closure]()
The episode illustrates how regional geopolitics can instantly affect corporate mobility. Companies with staff in Israel must now update emergency-contact lists, confirm insurance coverages that exclude war-risk zones and consider Cyprus as a staging point for possible evacuations. Travel managers should also note that further air-space restrictions could again divert flights to Larnaca, compounding accommodation shortages already witnessed this week.
Although the foreign ministry stressed there is no immediate threat to Cyprus itself, the situation remains fluid. Organisations are advised to monitor both Cypriot and Israeli advisories and maintain flexible travel arrangements through Athens, Amman or Cairo should conditions worsen.
Consular hotlines were staffed around the clock, and the embassy in Tel Aviv arranged a charter coach to Haifa port in case ferry evacuations became necessary. The advisory also highlighted potential spill-overs to shipping lanes and energy infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean, prompting Cyprus’ National Security Council to review contingency plans for LNG terminals at Vasilikos.
The episode illustrates how regional geopolitics can instantly affect corporate mobility. Companies with staff in Israel must now update emergency-contact lists, confirm insurance coverages that exclude war-risk zones and consider Cyprus as a staging point for possible evacuations. Travel managers should also note that further air-space restrictions could again divert flights to Larnaca, compounding accommodation shortages already witnessed this week.
Although the foreign ministry stressed there is no immediate threat to Cyprus itself, the situation remains fluid. Organisations are advised to monitor both Cypriot and Israeli advisories and maintain flexible travel arrangements through Athens, Amman or Cairo should conditions worsen.
