Severe winter storm ‘Byron’ swept across Cyprus on 9 December, dumping up to 55 mm of rain on Nicosia and the Troodos foothills and forcing the Meteorological Department to raise its warning from yellow to orange. Flooded underpasses feeding Larnaca and Pafos airports kept ground crews busy; several European departures left up to two hours late as aircraft waited out holding patterns.
Civil-defence teams pumped water off the Limassol-Pafos motorway while police warned motorists to avoid mountain routes after landslides. Cruise operators reshuffled shore excursions inland and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism sent SMS alerts to 180,000 registered foreign visitors—an unprecedented winter measure.
Travellers scrambling to re-book flights found that most airlines waived change fees but not fare differences, prompting mobility managers to remind staff of weather-delay clauses in travel policies. HR teams are also advising assignees to check rental-car insurance for flood cover, as water damage is often excluded.
![Storm ‘Byron’ Triggers Flight Delays and Road Closures Across Cyprus]()
While travellers juggle rebookings and insurance queries, platforms such as VisaHQ can simplify at least one part of the journey: entry documentation. The company’s Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) lets visitors verify real-time visa requirements, complete applications online and even arrange courier pickup—particularly handy when embassy visits are impossible due to flooded roads. VisaHQ’s alert service can also push notifications about consulate closures or changing entry rules triggered by extreme weather, helping travel managers keep employees compliant.
Climatologists note that eight of Cyprus’ ten wettest December days have occurred since 2015, arguing for a resilience plan that elevates key road arteries and flood-proofs airport electrical rooms. Infrastructure upgrades are likely to become a priority ahead of the island’s 2026 EU Council presidency.
In the meantime, travellers should allow extra buffer time, carry electronic copies of documents in case bags are soaked, and monitor Hermes Airports’ real-time flight updates.
Civil-defence teams pumped water off the Limassol-Pafos motorway while police warned motorists to avoid mountain routes after landslides. Cruise operators reshuffled shore excursions inland and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism sent SMS alerts to 180,000 registered foreign visitors—an unprecedented winter measure.
Travellers scrambling to re-book flights found that most airlines waived change fees but not fare differences, prompting mobility managers to remind staff of weather-delay clauses in travel policies. HR teams are also advising assignees to check rental-car insurance for flood cover, as water damage is often excluded.
While travellers juggle rebookings and insurance queries, platforms such as VisaHQ can simplify at least one part of the journey: entry documentation. The company’s Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) lets visitors verify real-time visa requirements, complete applications online and even arrange courier pickup—particularly handy when embassy visits are impossible due to flooded roads. VisaHQ’s alert service can also push notifications about consulate closures or changing entry rules triggered by extreme weather, helping travel managers keep employees compliant.
Climatologists note that eight of Cyprus’ ten wettest December days have occurred since 2015, arguing for a resilience plan that elevates key road arteries and flood-proofs airport electrical rooms. Infrastructure upgrades are likely to become a priority ahead of the island’s 2026 EU Council presidency.
In the meantime, travellers should allow extra buffer time, carry electronic copies of documents in case bags are soaked, and monitor Hermes Airports’ real-time flight updates.
