The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs released its highest-level travel advisory late on 16 January, urging Cypriot citizens in Israel to “exercise maximum caution” and, where possible, avoid travel as Israeli airspace remains closed and Ben Gurion Airport has suspended all flights after a morning exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran. (in-cyprus.philenews.com)
Cypriot nationals already in Israel are told to register with the Connect2CY consular platform and, if necessary, contact the embassy’s 24-hour hotline for evacuation support. The National Crisis Management Centre in Nicosia has also been activated.
Cypriots who must reroute through neighbouring countries may find it quicker to arrange transit visas online rather than at the airport; platforms such as VisaHQ provide step-by-step assistance, document checks and real-time status updates for applications out of Cyprus, which can save crucial hours when flight options change unexpectedly (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/).
![Cyprus issues urgent travel advisory for nationals in Israel after Ben Gurion shutdown]()
The directive affects an estimated 3,500 Cypriot business travellers and maritime personnel who transit through Tel Aviv for shipping, construction and high-tech projects. Employers with regional operations are scrambling to reroute staff via Amman or Larnaca, but seat availability is tight because multiple airlines have pulled capacity.
Insurance underwriters have notified corporate clients that war-risk premiums for travel to or through Israel now apply, and some policies require written proof that employees were briefed on the Cypriot advisory before departure.
Companies with split-site teams in Cyprus and Israel should review remote-work protocols and confirm that emergency contact lists are up to date, as further airspace disruptions could spill over to East Mediterranean flight corridors.
Cypriot nationals already in Israel are told to register with the Connect2CY consular platform and, if necessary, contact the embassy’s 24-hour hotline for evacuation support. The National Crisis Management Centre in Nicosia has also been activated.
Cypriots who must reroute through neighbouring countries may find it quicker to arrange transit visas online rather than at the airport; platforms such as VisaHQ provide step-by-step assistance, document checks and real-time status updates for applications out of Cyprus, which can save crucial hours when flight options change unexpectedly (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/).
The directive affects an estimated 3,500 Cypriot business travellers and maritime personnel who transit through Tel Aviv for shipping, construction and high-tech projects. Employers with regional operations are scrambling to reroute staff via Amman or Larnaca, but seat availability is tight because multiple airlines have pulled capacity.
Insurance underwriters have notified corporate clients that war-risk premiums for travel to or through Israel now apply, and some policies require written proof that employees were briefed on the Cypriot advisory before departure.
Companies with split-site teams in Cyprus and Israel should review remote-work protocols and confirm that emergency contact lists are up to date, as further airspace disruptions could spill over to East Mediterranean flight corridors.
