Pafos Live 27 January 2025
Israel's secret services have instructed Israeli airlines to cancel all their flights to Paphos airport, citing security reasons.
According to ErtNews, many passengers have already received notice.
El Al, Arkia and IsrAir have been informed that their flights to Paphos will be diverted to Larnaca Airport.
The emergency directive – issued by Israel's internal security agency, the Shin Bet – will be in place until further notice.
As it became known, the ban on landing at Pafos airport was decided for security reasons, which cannot be made public.
Israel's Channel 12, which reported the news, said the 3 airlines had confirmed the development.
Speaking to CyBC, Deputy Government Spokesman Yiannis Antoniou confirmed the fact, noting that the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus are aware of changes in the scheduling of Israeli flights, for security reasons.
He also said that for a few days now all flights of Israeli airlines have been operating normally to and from Larnaka airport.
Update - Filenews
In light of various security issues, the decision was taken to temporarily operate flights of Israeli companies, to and from Cyprus, to Larnaca instead of Paphos. This is what the Israeli Embassy said in its first statement on the matter.
The embassy also noted that "the situation will continue to be closely monitored and assessed in full cooperation with local authorities."
Israel's intelligence services have instructed Israeli airlines to cancel all flights to Paphos airport, citing security reasons.
Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letympiotis confirmed the news on state television on Monday morning, but did not elaborate on the issue and declined to give further details.
He merely said that the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus are aware of changes in the scheduling of Israeli flights, for security reasons.
He also said that for a few days now all flights of Israeli airlines have been operating normally to and from Larnaka airport.
However, for today a TUS AIR flight from Tel Aviv to Paphos has been cancelled.
According to what has been known so far, the Israeli airlines El Al, Arkia and IsrAir, have been informed that their flights to Paphos will be diverted to Larnaka airport.
In fact, their passengers have already received a notification.
The emergency directive – issued by Israel's internal security agency, the Shin Bet – will be in place until further notice.
As it became known, the ban on landing at Pafos airport was decided for security reasons, which cannot be made public.
Israel's Channel 12, which reported the news, said the 3 airlines had confirmed the development.
CNA/CyBC
