Dozens of flights cancelled in Cyprus due to Middle East conflict

Airlines were once again forced to massively adjust flight schedules in Cyprus. According to airport operator Hermes Airports, 39 flights were cancelled at Larnaca Airport and 5 at Paphos Airport within 24 hours.

According to published information, 16 arrivals and 13 departures were cancelled in Larnaca, while three departures and two arrivals were cancelled in Paphos.

Despite the fact that Cyprus's airspace remains open, airlines cannot use regular routes through Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and some Gulf countries. The restrictions are related to the escalation of the situation in the region following US strikes on Iran and subsequent missile and drone attacks.

Insurance companies have already raised war insurance rates, and aviation authorities in several countries have recommended that airlines avoid flying over the region.

The cancellations affected not only flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Doha, but also some long-haul routes, including London-Heathrow, as their usual paths pass close to Israeli airspace.

Hermes Airports, together with the Ministry of Transport of Cyprus and Eurocontrol, are working on alternative routes. However, flight times on some routes to the Middle East have already increased by 25–45 minutes, affecting aircraft and crew schedules.

The situation is having the greatest impact on Cyprus Airways, Aegean, Wizz Air, Emirates, and Qatar Airways.

Meanwhile, experts warn that if flight disruptions continue until summer, it could affect tourism, business travel, and international events on the island.