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Israel has temporarily halted commercial flights to Paphos, a city on the western coast of Cyprus, due to unspecified security reasons, Cypriot officials announced. The decision, made by Israel’s domestic security agency Shin Bet, was implemented late Sunday, according to Israeli media reports.
The suspension affects flights operated by Israeli airlines El Al, Arkia, and IsraAir, all of which have been redirected to Cyprus’s largest airport in Larnaca. This move is unlikely to significantly impact Israeli tourism to Cyprus, as the majority of flights between the two countries already operate through Larnaca. In 2023, Israeli tourists accounted for over 10% of all arrivals to the Mediterranean island, underscoring the importance of this market for Cypriot tourism.
“The Republic of Cyprus is aware of the change in scheduling, for security reasons, of Israeli companies from and to Paphos airport,” Cypriot Deputy Government Spokesman Yiannis Antoniou told CyBC. “Flights to and from Larnaca airport are continuing as normal.”
While Cypriot officials have not been informed of the specific reasons behind the decision, another official suggested it might be a precautionary measure consolidating Israeli flights to one primary location.
The Israeli embassy in Nicosia also confirmed the change, citing “various security issues” as the basis for the suspension. “The situation will continue to be closely monitored and assessed in full cooperation with local authorities,” the embassy stated.
Passengers affected by the change reported cancellations and diversions of flights originally scheduled to land in Paphos. However, there has been no official advisory discouraging travelers from independently traveling to Paphos after arriving in Cyprus.
Paphos Airport, the smaller of Cyprus’s two international airports, currently serves up to 17 weekly flights from Israel during its winter schedule, including connections from Tel Aviv and Haifa. The airport is located near a military base slated for an upgrade by the United States, adding to the potential strategic sensitivity of the site.
For now, flights between Israel and Larnaca will continue uninterrupted, with authorities from both countries maintaining close communication to assess any further developments.
Source: Cyprus Mail