Cyprus Flights Cancelled After Akrotiri Incident
Several flights to Cyprus were cancelled on Tuesday after a suspected drone strike hit RAF Akrotiri, a British military base on the island, during rising tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran. The incident took place on Sunday night and led to temporary evacuations in the surrounding area. Some British schools near the base were closed as a precaution while authorities assessed the situation.
Airlines responded quickly by adjusting their schedules. British Airways, easyJet and TUI all confirmed cancellations affecting routes between the UK and Cyprus. TUI cancelled four flights scheduled for 4 March, including services linking Bournemouth, East Midlands and Cardiff with Paphos. Airlines said the decision was taken due to the developing situation in the region and the need to review operational safety.
“In light of the evolving situation in the Middle East, we have taken the decision to cancel the four TUI Airways flights scheduled to travel to Cyprus on March 4."
Flights affected by the latest cancellations
- TUI flights from Bournemouth, East Midlands and Cardiff to Paphos
- easyJet services from London Gatwick to Larnaca
- easyJet routes from Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh to Paphos
- British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Larnaca
Some carriers, including Ryanair and Jet2, appear to be continuing operations to Cyprus, though schedules may still change as airlines monitor developments.
Despite the disruptions, Cyprus remains open to visitors and the UK government has not advised against travel to the island. Holidays to destinations such as Paphos, Limassol and Ayia Napa are continuing as planned. These resorts attract visitors for their Mediterranean beaches, historic ruins and busy seaside towns where ancient landmarks sit next to promenades, marinas and beachfront hotels.
Several airlines have already altered their schedules after the latest cancellations. Some flights could still run later than planned or follow different routes while carriers review operations. Anyone with trips to Cyprus should check their airline’s latest updates before travelling to the airport and be prepared for possible timetable changes on the day of departure.