Just hours after security concerns forced multiple cancellations, Cypriot authorities and Israeli carriers moved quickly to re-establish an air-bridge, scheduling twenty special flights from Larnaca on 16 February to evacuate or reposition Israeli nationals. Five departures were slotted for Tel Aviv, nine for Haifa, five for Aqaba and one for Amman, reflecting the fluid tactics airlines now employ to bypass high-risk airspace.
The operation once again showcased Cyprus’ ESTIA platform—its standing civil-military coordination mechanism for regional crises. Airport, immigration and customs teams worked side-by-side with Israeli consular staff to fast-track passenger screening, while the port of Larnaca handled simultaneous maritime arrivals carrying Israelis opting for sea passage.
When administrative hurdles such as emergency visas or transit permits threaten to slow these fast-moving operations, VisaHQ can step in. The firm’s Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) offers rapid online processing for entry clearances and document extensions, giving both individual travelers and corporate mobility teams a single point of contact during a crisis.
![Cyprus Schedules 20 Emergency Flights for Israeli Repatriation Amid Regional Tensions]()
For businesses, the logistical choreography offers practical insight: ESTIA-enabled operations can be activated within hours, making Cyprus a reliable evacuation springboard for companies with personnel across the Levant. However, capacity is finite; during the October 2025 Gaza escalation, ESTIA flights reached 90 percent utilisation within 36 hours.
Travel-risk consultants recommend that firms register employees on Cyprus’ voluntary crisis-alert portal and pre-clear manifests with both Cypriot and Israeli authorities. Doing so can shave critical minutes off boarding during rolling security alerts.
While Tuesday’s flight slate is expected to operate, Hermes Airports cautions that schedules remain “dynamic”. Corporate mobility teams should maintain 24/7 monitoring until tensions ease.
The operation once again showcased Cyprus’ ESTIA platform—its standing civil-military coordination mechanism for regional crises. Airport, immigration and customs teams worked side-by-side with Israeli consular staff to fast-track passenger screening, while the port of Larnaca handled simultaneous maritime arrivals carrying Israelis opting for sea passage.
When administrative hurdles such as emergency visas or transit permits threaten to slow these fast-moving operations, VisaHQ can step in. The firm’s Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) offers rapid online processing for entry clearances and document extensions, giving both individual travelers and corporate mobility teams a single point of contact during a crisis.
For businesses, the logistical choreography offers practical insight: ESTIA-enabled operations can be activated within hours, making Cyprus a reliable evacuation springboard for companies with personnel across the Levant. However, capacity is finite; during the October 2025 Gaza escalation, ESTIA flights reached 90 percent utilisation within 36 hours.
Travel-risk consultants recommend that firms register employees on Cyprus’ voluntary crisis-alert portal and pre-clear manifests with both Cypriot and Israeli authorities. Doing so can shave critical minutes off boarding during rolling security alerts.
While Tuesday’s flight slate is expected to operate, Hermes Airports cautions that schedules remain “dynamic”. Corporate mobility teams should maintain 24/7 monitoring until tensions ease.
