Cyprus air links stabilise as Lufthansa Group and easyJet restart key routes
Thirty-nine departures scrubbed at Larnaca despite gradual reopening
Nation-wide drone ban remains in force, affecting aerial work permits and hobbyists
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EU shows ‘strategic autonomy’ by deploying rapid military support to Cyprus
In a 7 March speech, EU Council President António Costa hailed the rapid deployment of Greek, French, Italian and Spanish forces to Cyprus as proof of European ‘strategic autonomy’. Beyond defence optics, the show of solidarity underpins confidence in Cyprus as a safe staging hub for evacuation flights, business travel and logistics during the Middle-East crisis.
Larnaca Cancels 39 Flights While Paphos Runs Normally on 6 March
Thirty-nine flights were axed at Larnaca Airport on 6 March while Paphos operated to schedule, as airlines remained cautious after the week’s drone incident at RAF Akrotiri. The imbalance is forcing companies to reroute staff, driving up ground-transfer costs and prompting calls for temporary immigration flexibility. Why it matters: Larnaca handles the bulk of corporate traffic and EU-presidency delegates; prolonged disruptions could hamper Cyprus’ ability to host high-level meetings and undermine investor confidence.
Cyprus Shifts EU-Presidency Meetings Online as Air Links Falter
On 6 March, Cyprus’ EU Council presidency announced that all remaining March meetings will move online or be delayed because delegates cannot reliably reach the island after widespread flight cancellations. The decision removes millions in expected delegate spending and forces mobility planners to re-book or virtualise travel. It underscores how regional security events can derail even intra-EU movement and heightens pressure on Cyprus to quickly restore aviation confidence.
Grace Period Ends for Cyprus Investment-Route Residence Permits
Effective 6 March, Cyprus closed the loophole that let investors file residence-permit applications under pre-2025 criteria, forcing all new Regulation 6(2) submissions to meet higher €500 000 investment and tighter compliance standards. Companies planning executive moves must now recalibrate budgets and timelines, while immigration advisers expect a short-term application dip followed by higher-quality filings.
easyJet Restarts UK–Cyprus Routes After Security Pause
easyJet flights from the UK to both Cypriot airports recommenced overnight on 5/6 March after a security review, restoring roughly one-third of the island’s inbound corporate capacity. The return eases pressure on alternative hubs and mitigates visa-overstay risks for passengers stranded by earlier cancellations.
Parliament Fast-Tracks Bill to Cap Property Purchases by Non-EU Nationals
In an overnight session concluding 6 March, a parliamentary committee endorsed a bill that would bar non-EU nationals from acquiring more than one Cypriot residence and ban them from buying farmland or forests. The measure aims to rein in soaring property prices but could reshape how multinationals house expatriate employees.