Passengers booked on Israeli carriers to or from Paphos are being redirected 140 kilometres east to Larnaca International Airport after Israel’s domestic intelligence service Shin Bet ordered an immediate switch in routings for ‘security reasons’. The directive — confirmed by the Israeli embassy in Nicosia and Cyprus government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis — affects El Al, Arkia and IsrAir services, as well as today’s TUS Air charter from Tel Aviv, which was cancelled.(in-cyprus.philenews.com)
While officials refused to elaborate, aviation analysts noted heightened regional tension following drone activity over the Eastern Mediterranean. Israeli airlines often impose their own security protocols above and beyond host-state requirements, and Larnaca’s longer runway and dedicated security perimeter make it their fallback of choice.(in-cyprus.philenews.com)
![Israeli Security Directive Diverts All Paphos Flights to Larnaca Until Further Notice]()
If this sudden airport switch leaves you scrambling to update travel documents or secure entry visas, VisaHQ can handle the paperwork online in minutes and provide real-time guidance for Cyprus requirements—visit https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/ for fast, professional assistance.
Operationally, the diversion means extra ground-handling strain at Larnaca just as the airport gears up for the busy Easter scheduling cycle. Slot coordinators have issued NOTAMs granting Israeli flights priority on arrival banks between 05:00 and 09:00 and again in the late afternoon. Travel managers should alert travellers to longer transfer times: the Paphos-to-Larnaca motorway run is roughly 1 hour 30 minutes by taxi or hire car.(in-cyprus.philenews.com)
Cargo shippers moving high-value perishables from Israel via Paphos will also need contingency plans, as cold-chain facilities at Larnaca are close to capacity. The two governments say the arrangement is temporary, but no end-date has been given. Companies with critical itineraries should monitor airline alerts and consider refundable tickets.(in-cyprus.philenews.com)
While officials refused to elaborate, aviation analysts noted heightened regional tension following drone activity over the Eastern Mediterranean. Israeli airlines often impose their own security protocols above and beyond host-state requirements, and Larnaca’s longer runway and dedicated security perimeter make it their fallback of choice.(in-cyprus.philenews.com)
If this sudden airport switch leaves you scrambling to update travel documents or secure entry visas, VisaHQ can handle the paperwork online in minutes and provide real-time guidance for Cyprus requirements—visit https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/ for fast, professional assistance.
Operationally, the diversion means extra ground-handling strain at Larnaca just as the airport gears up for the busy Easter scheduling cycle. Slot coordinators have issued NOTAMs granting Israeli flights priority on arrival banks between 05:00 and 09:00 and again in the late afternoon. Travel managers should alert travellers to longer transfer times: the Paphos-to-Larnaca motorway run is roughly 1 hour 30 minutes by taxi or hire car.(in-cyprus.philenews.com)
Cargo shippers moving high-value perishables from Israel via Paphos will also need contingency plans, as cold-chain facilities at Larnaca are close to capacity. The two governments say the arrangement is temporary, but no end-date has been given. Companies with critical itineraries should monitor airline alerts and consider refundable tickets.(in-cyprus.philenews.com)
