Filenews 5 March 2025 - by Dora Christodoulou
Israeli airlines are expected to return to their direct routes from Tel Aviv and Haifa to Paphos from Friday, March 7, according to ticket sales on Israeli carriers' websites and leaked media in Israel.
Flights were suspended on January 26 when Shin Bet, the country's internal intelligence services, issued a directive banning all Israeli company flights to the airport until further notice for security reasons. The reports point out that the relevant directive lifting the ban has not yet been issued, but quoted an aviation industry official as saying that it should be expected immediately.
It is also noted that Israel's national carrier, EL AL, started selling air tickets to Paphos on its website from March 7, while Arkia Airlines has tickets to Paphos since March 13. On the contrary, Israir and Air Haifa are expected to resume their flights to Paphos in April.
Speaking to "F", however, PASYXE President Thanos Michaelides said that the turmoil caused in the previous period regarding security issues at Pafos airport in relation to the arrival of air flights from Israel, did not cause any practical negative impact on the tourism industry.
Mr. Michaelides pointed out that the noise subsided relatively quickly and did not affect either the traffic to and from Pafos airport or the general winter tourist traffic.
