A DECREE IS ISSUED TO BAN USE OF DRONES BY PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS - SCENE OF INTENSE MOBILITY IN AKROTIRI - Filenews 4/3
An alarm was sounded in the morning when two Greek F-16 fighter jets took off from the "Andreas Papandreou" air base in Paphos to investigate a suspicious object found in the airspace near Lebanon.
The Government said the incident is now considered over, noting that the competent authorities are closely monitoring the situation and remain vigilant.
In the meantime, the Greek frigates "Kimon" and "Psara" arrived in Limassol.
It is recalled that Britain announced the dispatch of the destroyer HMS Dragon, as well as helicopters with drone capabilities, to Cyprus. In addition, France sends aircraft and frigates. At the same time, Giorgia Meloni is considering sending an Italian frigate to the area around the island.
Minute by minute all developments
14:32 – Positive approach in principle from Germany – Italy
So far, Greece has responded, both frigates have arrived, France has announced its assistance and we are also in contact, with a positive approach, with Italy and Germany.
14:32 – The Greek F-16s did not find a suspicious object
This morning there were indications of a suspicious object, all procedures were immediately activated. Nothing was found. There was no closure of the airport, just space was given for the aerial means to take off. After the National Security Council, the President of the Republic had a communication with the President of Lebanon, where the situation was reviewed. They agreed to stay in touch and discussed today's incident as well.
14:30 – Decree banning the use of drones by private individuals
It will be issued by the Ministry of Transport. Use will be allowed only by Government departments, with permission from the Civil Aviation.
14:11 – The meeting of the National Security Council has ended
14:10 – 66 flights cancelled at Cypriot airports – With which countries and companies is there direct connectivity
Due to the developments of the last few days in the region and the subsequent cancellations of flights from all over the world to countries of the Middle East, but also from some European airlines to Cyprus, Hermes Airports wishes to inform that Larnaca and Paphos airports are operating normally, serving passengers who wish to travel with all available flights. The operation of the airports is carried out in full cooperation with the competent state authorities and the entire airport community.
14:05 – Civil Defense members continue to patrol the Akrotiri area – 100 displaced
Members of the Civil Defense continue to patrol the Akrotiri area, the spokesman of the Civil Defense, Panagiotis Liasidis, told KYPE, adding that patrols are also being carried out in communities adjacent to critical infrastructure.
It is recalled that yesterday the Ministry of the Interior had announced that the situation in the Municipal District of Akrotiri will remain in an evacuation state until Friday, March 6, when it will be reviewed. According to an announcement by the Ministry of Education, the schools in Akrotiri will also remain closed.
Regarding the people who are accommodated in various places, Mr. Liasidis said that since last night, around 100 people are staying at the Agios Georgios Monastery, in the hotels "Moniatis" and "Odysseia Hotel Kapetanios".
"We give food to the people with the cooperation of the Cyprus Red Cross in the Monastery and at the 'Moniatis' hotel, while the food at the 'Odysseia Hotel Kapetanios' is done through the same hotel, which we will also cover," he added.
Answering a question, Mr. Liasidis said that patrols are being carried out in Akrotiri "and we are in contact with the local authorities, the Mayor of Kourion and the Deputy Mayor of Akrotiri". "And we are waiting to see how the situation develops," he noted.
Asked if people call the Force for information, Mr. Liasidis said that people call the Operations Control Center and want to be informed about the shelters. "We are trying to inform them, to reassure them. In general, calm is needed," he concluded.
13:38 – 12 flights at Paphos Airport affected
Due to recent developments in the Middle East, several flights were also affected at Paphos Airport. Specifically, according to Hermes Airports, 12 flights have been cancelled so far at Paphos Airport by the companies easy jet, sundor, jet 2 and arkia, among others.
New flight cancellations to and from Paphos airport are not excluded, due to the developments, it is added.
Hermes Airports invites passengers to contact their airline or travel agent directly for the latest information on the status of their flight.
In a post on its website, the manager of Cypriot airports says it will continue to provide updates as soon as they become available.
12:16 – The take-off of the two Greek F-16s for the suspicious object
12:03 – Scene of intense mobility in Akrotiri – Continuous perimeter flights of an aircraft
Mobility has been observed at the Akrotiri military base since Wednesday morning, with the presence of vehicles being significantly increased.
At the same time, an aircraft of the British Bases is flying around the perimeter of the military base, intensifying the picture of increased mobility in the area.
12:00 – The frigates "Kimon" and "Psara" of the Hellenic Navy in Cyprus
The two frigates of the Greek Navy, the frigate "Psara" and the frigate "Kimon", arrived in Cyprus.
The frigate "Psara" arrived at the Port of Limassol and specifically at the terminal of DP World Limassol at 11:15, which has the "Centaur" system according to UAV, a system that has been produced by the Greek innovation ecosystem and has already been successfully tested in the European operation Shields in the Red Sea.
The frigate "Kimon", which is a modern frigate of the Belharra type, is waiting at the anchorage.
The frigate "Kimon" is scheduled to enter the port in the afternoon.
11:59 – 180 Cypriots are repatriated from Dubai today – Two more flights in the coming days
The first repatriation flight from Dubai takes place today, Wednesday, it is expected to transport 180 people to Cyprus.
According to information, a Cyprus Airways aircraft took off from Larnaca airport at 7:30 in the morning and was expected to land in Dubai at 11:45 (Cyprus time).
11:47 – Letympiotis: The incident is considered over
The incident for which there was relevant information has been investigated and is considered closed, the Government Spokesman states in a new update. "The competent authorities monitor the situation on an ongoing basis and all appropriate measures are taken from the available means within the framework of established procedures," he adds.
11:44 – Mitsotakis: The mission to Cyprus is defensive and peaceful
The message that "Greece is present with force wherever national duty calls it", clarifying that "the mission in Cyprus is defensive and peaceful" was sent by the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the briefing he provided to the Greek Parliament on the occasion of his intervention in the debate on the bill on the postal vote for expatriate Greeks.
The prime minister also left open the possibility of "preventive measures to avoid negative consequences from the crisis", declaring that "if required, special measures will be taken to control excessive price increases".
11:43 – Aegean: New flight cancellations due to crisis
Aegean Airlines is proceeding with additional flight cancellations to countries in the Middle East, due to the ongoing developments in the region and the increased geopolitical tension.
According to the company's information, the cancellations concern flights to and from destinations in Israel, Lebanon, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as part of the security measures taken after the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.
11:25 – Arrived at "El. Venizelos" AEGEAN flight 902 from Larnaca
AEGEAN flight (902), which returned from Larnaca, landed a while ago at "Eleftherios Venizelos", due to a temporary interruption of traffic in the airspace of Cyprus.
According to information from AEGEAN, the aircraft is being refuelled and this flight is expected to depart again for Larnaca at 11:45.
11:12 – Children attending an English-speaking kindergarten in a shelter
The alarm at the embassy ended shortly before 10:00 and the staff returned to their duties normally, after the prescribed procedures were completed.
In an adjacent English-language kindergarten, where children of embassy employees attend, the prescribed measures were also activated, with the children being taken to a shelter for precautionary reasons.
11:02 – The airspace was not closed at any time – Instructions were given to two flights
It is clarified that the airspace of the Republic of Cyprus was not closed at any time. As part of the established procedures, two flights were asked to remain on hold for a short period of time, in order to provide the necessary operational space. The captain of one of the two flights chose to return to Athens, while the second flight landed normally shortly after. The airspace continues to operate normally.
10:53 – The first images and videos of the Greek frigates off Limassol
10:43 – The two Greek F-16s have completed their mission
Two Greek F16s took off earlier on Wednesday from the "Andreas Papandreou" air base in Paphos in connection with the suspicious object found in the airspace near Lebanon.
As competent sources told KYPE, in the context of increased readiness, the two F16s took off from Paphos for the purpose of identifying and dealing with the suspicious object.
After completing their mission, the two fighter jets returned to his base, as reported.
10:36 – Aegean flight to Larnaca returned to Athens
Aegean morning flight 902 from Athens to Larnaca has returned to Athens as Larnaca Airport has been informed that there is an aerial exercise and it will have to wait for a while until it lands.
According to information, the pilot decided to return to Athens while the flight will take place normally as soon as conditions allow it within the day.
The airspace of Cyprus is currently open.
10:21 – Extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council
The Council of Ministers scheduled for 9 and 30 was postponed while an extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council was decided at 12 o'clock, as reported by RIK.
