Cypriot authorities later reported that two additional drones heading towards the bottom have been intercepted.
Some flights are nonetheless cancelled (Picture: Getty)
Dozens of flights to and from Cyprus have been cancelled after an explosion and a drone risk compelled the evacuation of Paphos Worldwide Airport and disrupted operations at Larnaca, the island’s predominant hub. The chaos stemmed from a suspected Iranian Shahed-style drone strike on the runway at close by RAF Akrotiri in a single day on Sunday into Monday, March 2, 2026, with no accidents reported however widespread safety fears triggering additional alerts.
Hermes Airports, which operates each Larnaca (LCA) and Paphos (PFO), confirmed greater than 60 flights have been axed throughout the 2 websites — 42 at Larnaca and 18 at Paphos — affecting roughly 5,000 passengers. Paphos was ordered into an “fast and complete evacuation” after an unidentified drone entered restricted airspace, whereas Larnaca was reportedly rocked by a blast linked to the regional safety incident.
This normal view exhibits the Terminal 3 arrivals board, with a number of cancellations (Picture: AFP through Getty Photographs)
Each airports resumed operations in a while Monday, however the knock-on results hit UK routes hardest amid heightened Center East tensions.
easyJet was among the many hardest hit, cancelling all its providers to and from Cyprus on March 2 as a precaution. The price range provider axed a number of return flights linking London Gatwick and Manchester with each Paphos and Larnaca.
British Airways cancelled its 4 scheduled Larnaca providers from the UK on Tuesday and suspended a number of different Center East routes as much as March 5. The Lufthansa Group, which operates connecting flights from numerous European airports, has halted all 4 flights to and from the island for the day.
A British Airways spokesperson mentioned: “We’re intently monitoring the state of affairs and have cancelled various our flights to the Center East. Security is at all times our high precedence and we’d by no means function a flight until it was secure to take action.
“In case you are attributable to fly between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai or Tel Aviv as much as and together with March 15 you may change your flight date freed from cost to journey on or earlier than 29 March. Clients travelling as much as and together with March 8 might also request a full refund in Handle My Reserving.
Safety personnel at RAF Akrotiri (Picture: Getty Photographs)
“In case you are travelling between London and Larnaca as much as and together with March 15, you may change your flight date freed from cost to journey on or earlier than March 29.”
An easyJet spokesperson mentioned: “As a result of occasions affecting the RAF base in Akrotiri in Cyprus, as a precaution, we is not going to be working the 4 return flights to Cyprus scheduled right now.
“We proceed to do all we will to minimise the affect for our prospects and have notified them immediately upfront with their choices for rebooking or a refund, and are offering lodge lodging and meals for many who require them.
“We advise all prospects attributable to journey to and from Cyprus over the approaching days to examine our flight tracker for the most recent info.
“The protection of our prospects and crew is our highest precedence and we proceed to intently monitor the safety state of affairs within the area.”
A TUI spokesperson mentioned: “The protection of our prospects is our highest precedence, and we’re intently monitoring the state of affairs within the Center East and surrounding areas.
“We’re at present working our Cyprus program as deliberate, however as that is an evolving state of affairs, that might be topic to alter.”
A Jet2 spokesperson mentioned: “We at all times comply with the journey recommendation of the UK International, Commonwealth & Growth Workplace (FCDO), and their present steerage exhibits that there aren’t any journey restrictions in place to Cyprus. As such, our flights and holidays are working as regular, and are topic to the same old phrases and circumstances. We’ll in fact proceed to watch the state of affairs intently.”
Full listing of confirmed Larnaca cancellations on March 3
British Airways: 4 flights
easyJet: 4 flights
Lufthansa: 4 flights
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International Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed the Akrotiri strike: a one-way assault drone hit the runway at Britain’s largest abroad base. She mentioned of the state of affairs typically: “We’re establishing the assist methods as a result of in addition to the 94,000 individuals who have been in contact after we arrange the ‘register your presence’ system, there’s an estimated 300,000 British residents in Gulf international locations which have now been focused by Iran, together with international locations the place now airspace is closed because of these assaults.
Cypriot authorities later reported that two additional drones heading towards the bottom have been intercepted. The UK International Workplace up to date journey recommendation, urging Britons to comply with native directions. RAF Akrotiri continued working “as regular” regardless of minor harm.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority reminded passengers of their rights: airways should present care and help (meals, lodging, communication) for cancellations, with refunds or rebooking choices out there.
Stranded travellers unable to get airline assist can declare affordable prices later with receipts. Particulars of scheduled flights may be discovered right here.
As of early March 3, Hermes Airports suggested passengers to contact their airline immediately, with no new blanket cancellations reported.
easyJet acknowledged providers from right now onward are anticipated to run usually, topic to ongoing monitoring. Travellers attributable to fly to or from Cyprus within the coming days are urged to examine flight trackers and airline apps for real-time updates.
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The incident happens towards a backdrop of escalating regional battle, with the drone assault broadly attributed to Iranian-backed actions following strikes elsewhere within the Center East.
No group has claimed accountability for the Cyprus incidents on the time of publication.
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