Filenews 20 June 2025 - by Natasa Christoforou
The crowded beaches of Larnaca, as well as the hundreds of people who have flocked for the last twenty-four hours, mainly to the beach of Finikoudes, refer to August tourist traffic. Despite the cancellations of the reservations of the Israelis, who were going to arrive for holidays in Larnaca these days, (ed. Israel is the second largest tourist market in the province), the city is experiencing unprecedented, for the time, occupancy.
Since the beginning of the week, occupancy rates of more than 90% have been recorded in both hotels and other tourist accommodations, according to competent sources. In the last few hours, in fact, mainly due to the resumption of flights to Israel, there is a battle for a room.
Larnaca has become, once again, an escape crossroads for thousands of foreign nationals, who either come from Israel and are looking for flights to their countries, or are Israelis and wait until they secure a return ticket to one of the aircraft they were recruited. A flow of foreign nationals leaving Israel is also recorded at the Larnaca marina, which in recent days welcomed 120 private boats, which disembarked about 450 people.
The security measures of the Police at the airport, port and marina have been significantly strengthened and are constantly being reviewed depending on the arrivals and departures of foreign nationals. Draconian measures are also being taken in the Jewish synagogue, in hotels, as well as in other infrastructures of the Larnaca district.
The city, however, began to prepare yesterday for even greater flows of foreign nationals, after instructions were given, within the framework of the National Plan "Estia", to put 7 schools, 5 primary schools and 2 high schools on standby. The escalation of the war between Israel and Iran and the expressed intention of several countries to expel their nationals, led to an increase in the degree of preparedness of Cyprus and the activation of Plan C of "Estia", which is related to the preparation of schools, with the active involvement of the Ministry of Education.
Officials of the Ministry of Environment and members of the Civil Defense yesterday inspected the air-conditioned multi-purpose rooms of the seven schools, in which beds will be placed if and if there is a need to accommodate foreign nationals. Until yesterday afternoon, however, there was no request from any other country, apart from Portugal and Slovakia, for the removal of their nationals through the "Estia" Plan.
So far, through the "Estia" Plan, a total of 213 people have arrived in our country with 6 aircraft, four from Slovakia and two from Portugal. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 8 Cypriots were also on board these aircraft. Slovakia is removing its nationals from Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt and Portugal from Amman, Jordan.
Over 3,500 Israelis on flights from Larnaca
Larnaca Airport, one of five in the European Union used for the repatriation of Israelis who are outside the country, continues to be in a state of full readiness. In the last two twenty-four hours with more than 30 flights, more than 3,500 people were transported to Israel.
Yesterday, according to the operating company Hermes Airports, 21 special flights were scheduled at Larnaca Airport, as part of the "Safe Return" operation. 13 of them were destined for Israel (5 to Tel Aviv and 8 to Haifa) and the remaining 8 to Jordan and specifically to the city of Aqaba. Those who arrived in Jordan then headed by road to Israel. A similar procedure, if conditions allow, is expected to be followed today with the determination of new repatriation flights.
The operation to return the Israelis from the air, however, is not at all easy due to Iran's repeated missile attacks. Indicative of the prevailing situation is the flight adventure of El Al that departed yesterday morning from Larnaca airport. As reported by Israel's N12 channel, the flight was forced to be temporarily diverted due to an Iranian missile attack.
The plane circled in the air for about 30 minutes until Israeli authorities confirmed it could land safely at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport. Eventually, the plane landed without any problems, and then several other flights arrived safely at the same airport.
Israel's airspace has been closed since last Friday due to the war. However, since Tuesday, special flights for the repatriation of those trapped in other countries have begun to be operated by private companies. In addition to Larnaca Airport, similar flights are operated from the airports of Athens, Paris, Rome and Milan.
500 additional flights per day on Cyprus air
In recent days, there has also been chaos in the airspace of Cyprus, which is called upon to serve 500 additional flights every day. According to the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, "the personnel of the air traffic control services are making a significant effort to serve the increased flows safely, which highlights the role of Cyprus in the wider region".
In the last week, as noted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there has been increased mobility at airports, due to the large number of flights for the repatriation of citizens of other countries, which came at a time when, due to the summer season, there is increased traffic. "The repatriation of foreign citizens is carried out in perfect coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," it says, adding that "stricter security measures are imposed at airports" to ensure the protection of both passengers and the Republic.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Transport reassures and informs the passengers that "despite the increased flow at the airports, but also in the skies of the Republic, the smooth flow of flights will continue, ensuring, as always, the highest level of aviation safety despite all the challenges".
