Larnaca and Paphos airports assist amid Israel crisis (Updated)

Arrivals continued at both Cyprus airports and ports on Wednesday, as authorities on the island dealt with thousands of people fleeing Israel since Saturday’s Hamas attacks on the country.

Representatives from Hermes airport said that Larnaca and Paphos airports were fully prepared to respond to the emergency that has unfolded in Israel following the recent attacks by Hamas, under the government Estia plan to repatriate and aid those fleeing disasters.

“The situation is under control at the moment, even taking into account the increased number of flights to and from Israel,” the representative told the Cyprus Mail.

Since Sunday, flights to and from Tel Aviv and Cyprus have been continuously added, transporting passengers who have already booked their tickets. All seats on flights to Israel have been booked, leaving no option for last-minute travellers.

According to foreign ministry spokesman, Theodoros Gotsis, from Tuesday and Wednesday 160 people have been returned to their home country via Cyprus.

Gotsis said that the 160 people were brought on a Portuguese C-130 airplane to Cyprus from Israel, from where they were evacuated due to the ongoing crisis.

He added that Austria has also requested its citizens be evacuated from Israel to Cyprus with military aircraft, and that the first flight with Austrians was expected in the evening.

The Portuguese sent a military C-130 aircraft that made three flights to get mainly Portuguese citizens, and others from Israel to Cyprus. One flight landed on Tuesday, while another two were conducted on Wednesday, one in the night and another in the morning.

Gotsis said that this is all part of the Estia scheme for the evacuation of citizens from a country in the middle of a crisis.

Citizens are evacuated brought to Cyprus, given temporary accommodation and sent onwards to their country of origin.

Later in the day, the civil defence spokesman Panayiotis Liasides said that the Estia plan would begin operating at Paphos airport on Thursday.

He added that a meeting was held at the airport on Wednesday to discuss the operations to take place a Paphos airport.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the foreign ministry, civil defence, civil aviation, police, Hermes, the state health services organisation (Okypy), the customs office, the national guard, and the Red Cross.

He added that the first flight to Paphos was expected to arrive on Wednesday night, but due to issues with the aircraft it was rescheduled for Thursday.

Later in the day, the Ayia Napa marina said that 65 people, Europeans and Israelis, arrived on private vessels.

According to the marina, the people arrived at 3.30pm.

“In the marina, the reception areas had been organised in time by the staff and the government agencies involved so that the reception and hospitality was at the highest possible level,” the announcement said.

The marina also said that they will offer any services required for free, and in coordination with the government services the support will continue for as long as necessary.

Larnaca airport has become the main transit hub for thousands of Israeli and foreign citizens who have temporarily settled at hotels in town while awaiting their return home or to reconnect with their families.

Security measures have been heightened both within and outside the airport premises. Local police forces, as well as members of the National Guard, are intensifying their efforts to maintain order. Additionally, all airport checkpoints are staffed with extra personnel as passenger traffic increases.

At the same time, enhanced security measures have been implemented at Larnaca’s synagogue, at the chief rabbi’s residence, and in hotels accommodating Israeli visitors. The increased presence of the local police and mobile patrols aims to ensure the safety of the Israeli community.