Israel Suspends Paphos Flights, Redirects to Larnaca
Israeli Agency Shin Bet Suspends Flights to Paphos, Cyprus: Security Concerns Prompt Change
Israeli agency Shin Bet has recently ordered the suspension of commercial flights from Israel to Paphos, Cyprus, citing unspecified security concerns. As of January 26, 2025, domestic airlines, including El AL, Arkia, and Israir, have received directives from Shin Bet prohibiting any landings in Paphos, as reported by local media outlet inn.co. Instead, flights previously scheduled for Paphos will now be redirected to Larnaca, the largest airport in Cyprus.
Reasons Behind the Flight Suspension
Shin Bet officials stated that the decision to concentrate all flights to and from Cyprus at Larnaca Airport is based on a variety of security considerations. This precautionary measure aims to streamline operations and enhance safety for travelers.
- Key Points of the Flight Suspension:
- Airlines Affected: El AL, Arkia, and Israir.
- New Destination: All flights redirected to Larnaca.
- Reason: Security concerns as per Shin Bet directives.
Impact on Israeli Travelers
Despite the abrupt change, the suspension of flights to Paphos is not anticipated to have a major impact on Israeli travelers. The volume of flights to Paphos has been relatively low compared to those arriving at Larnaca, which serves as the primary gateway to Cyprus.
A Cypriot official confirmed that the Republic of Cyprus was informed about the scheduling changes several days ago for security reasons. Victor Papadopoulos, Head of the Cypriot President’s Press Office, noted, “We were informed that the Israelis decided they wanted to come and go from one airport, that of Larnaca.”
Airline Responses
In light of Shin Bet’s directives, the airlines have expressed their commitment to comply with the new regulations:
- El AL: Will follow the instructions from relevant security agencies.
- Arkia: Confirmed compliance but will continue operations from Larnaca.
What Lies Ahead
The ban on flights to Paphos will remain effective until further notice, with no specific timeline provided for resuming flights to the airport. Travelers planning to visit Cyprus are encouraged to check flight schedules and stay updated on any developments.
For more information on travel safety and updates, visit reputable sources like Reuters and i24News.
Conclusion
As security remains a top priority, travelers should prepare for these changes and consider alternative arrangements. We invite you to share your thoughts on this development or read more about travel regulations and safety measures in our related articles.
