Cyprus airports ready to help with evacuation

Larnaca International Airport is ready to serve as a transit point in case the evacuation of foreign citizens from Israel is decided, Maria Kouroupi, Senior Manager Aviation Development, Marketing and Communication at Hermes Airports, has said.

Speaking to CNA, Kouroupi said that both on Sunday and on Monday, there have been several special flights to Israel from Larnaca Airport. Twenty departures and 20 arrivals are expected on Monday, 11 of which are special flights scheduled in the last 24 hours. Additionally, three departures and three arrivals are scheduled to and from Pafos Airport, she said.

She said that flights arriving in Cyprus from Israel and those departing for Israel are fully booked. “Most passengers are individuals who are either returning or coming to stay in Cyprus, while departing passengers are mainly Israelis." She also noted that "among the passengers arriving in Cyprus from Israel, there seem to be some nationals of foreign countries, especially from the United States and Canada".

Asked whether Larnaca Airport is prepared to be used as a transit point in case the evacuation of foreign citizens from Israel is required, Kouroupi replied “we are prepared, and what has been done in the past with the activation of the ESTIA Plan will be repeated.” In this specific plan, she noted, "the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Transport, Communications, and Works are involved. We are already in contact with them, and potential reception areas have already been prepared in case it is deemed necessary”.

The Cyprus News Agency has learnt that Israeli airlines are adding special flights from Larnaca Airport to Tel Aviv with the aim of returning Israelis who are either in Cyprus or will arrive on the island from other countries. According to the same information, Israelis located in various European countries are returning to Cyprus, from where Israeli airlines will transport them to Israel.

Additionally, TUS Airways, according to a Facebook post, will offer additional flights from Tel Aviv in the coming days to Larnaca and Athens.

In another development, CNA reports that five patients and their families who are receiving treatment in Israel under the Ministry of Health subsidised programme, are doing well.

Furthermore, one of the three groups, totaling around 300 people, that were in Israel for pilgrimage and tourism returned to Cyprus last night, while the second group will depart from Tel Aviv today. It is noted that Larnaca Bishop Nektarios, in Tel Aviv for a church conference, will remain in Israel until Wednesday.

The Police have also taken increased security measures at the Jewish Synagogue in Larnaca, at places of Israeli interest in the city, at the Rabbi's house, and at hotels where Israeli nationals are staying.

(Source: CNA)