Cyprus to begin repatriation flights for citizens stranded in the Middle East
Regional conflict forces cancellation of 66 flights at Cyprus’ airports
US travel warning dents bookings – Cyprus tourism leaders call for calm
Latest News
Airspace over Cyprus briefly closed after drone alert; Greek F-16s scrambled
Cyprus briefly closed its airspace on 4 March after a suspected drone incursion; Greek F-16s intercepted the UAV and normal operations resumed within an hour. The incident highlights rising drone threats to civil aviation and has already pushed up war-risk insurance premiums for flights to and over Cyprus.
Hermes Airports reassures travellers: operations ‘normal’ despite high cancellation count
Airport operator Hermes Airports published an operations bulletin stating that Larnaca and Paphos remain open, with 103 flights still scheduled on 4 March. While dozens of services are cancelled, core European connectivity persists, and airlines plan recovery flights later in March.
UK tells dual British–Cypriot nationals to enter on UK passports as ETA rollout accelerates
Effective immediately, the UK requires dual British–Cypriot nationals to enter on a UK passport, aligning with the new Electronic Travel Authorisation system. Those without a current UK passport risk denial of entry unless they obtain a Certificate of Entitlement. Employers should verify that mobile staff update travel profiles accordingly.
Mass Cancellations Hit Larnaca Airport as Regional Tensions Disrupt Cyprus Air Connectivity
Larnaca Airport cancelled 51 flights on 3 March 2026 as regional drone strikes forced airlines to re-route or suspend operations. The sudden disruption stranded business travellers, stressed supply chains and underlined the need for robust contingency planning when routing staff via Cyprus.
UK Deploys HMS Dragon and Counter-Drone Helicopters to Cyprus After Akrotiri Strike
Following a drone hit on RAF Akrotiri, the UK sent destroyer HMS Dragon and counter-drone helicopters to Cyprus on 3 March 2026. The deployment tightens air-defence but could trigger further air-space restrictions affecting commercial flights and expatriate safety plans.
Paphos Airport Evacuated After Radar Alert; Flights Diverted to Larnaca
A radar anomaly forced the complete evacuation of Paphos Airport on 3 March 2026, causing widespread delays and diversions. The incident—days after a drone attack on RAF Akrotiri—underscores persistent security risks that can halt Cypriot air operations without warning.
Cyprus Ends Grace Period for Investor Residence Permits Under Old Criteria
On 3 March 2026 Cyprus formally closed the transitional regime that let investors apply for permanent residence under pre-2023 rules. New applications must now satisfy stricter financial and due-diligence standards—raising costs and complexity for employers relocating non-EU talent.
Cyprus Accelerates Digital Residence Permits Ahead of EU Entry/Exit System Roll-Out
On 3 March 2026 Cyprus unveiled plans to digitise all residence-permit processing and sync the system with upcoming EU border-control platforms (EES and ETIAS). The move promises faster, app-based workflows for expatriates but does not relax underlying immigration criteria.
U.S. State Department Raises Cyprus Travel Advisory to Level 3 – ‘Reconsider Travel’
The U.S. State Department on 3 March 2026 moved Cyprus to Level 3 (‘Reconsider Travel’), citing heightened security risks and limited consular access in the island’s north. Companies may need higher-level approvals and stronger duty-of-care measures for staff travel.