Israeli carriers have temporarily rerouted all flights from Paphos to Larnaca airport following security directives from Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence service, officials from both countries confirmed.
The Israeli embassy in Cyprus said the situation “will continue to be monitored and evaluated in full cooperation with local authorities”, without disclosing specific security concerns behind the decision.
Cyprus government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis confirmed that Cypriot authorities were aware of the security-related changes, telling state broadcaster CyBC that Israeli airline operations have been running normally through Larnaca airport for several days.
The directive affects Israeli carriers El Al, Arkia and IsrAir, with a TUS AIR flight from Tel Aviv to Paphos cancelled today as part of the measures. All passengers have been notified of the diversions to Larnaca airport, which will remain in effect until further notice.
Israel’s Channel 12, which first reported the development, said all three affected airlines had confirmed the changes to their operations (incyprus)
