Some travellers already in Cyprus or with trips to the island are looking at the map of the eastern Mediterranean with concern, due to the proximity of Lebanon and Israel.
Fighting is taking place barely 100 miles from the popular Cypriot resort of Ayia Napa.
The UK has two Sovereign Bases on the island, with extra troops stationed there in case they are called upon to help evacuate British citizens from Lebanon.
Larnaca airport, the main gateway to Cyprus, was used as a diversion point overnight on 1–2 October for aircraft that were suddenly rerouted due to the closure of Iraqi and Iranian airspace.
Yet airlines and holiday companies are continuing with their normal terms and conditions – with someone who chooses not to travel likely to lose some or all of their money.
These are the key questions and answers.
What is happening at the island’s airports?
At Larnaca, the main hub for Cyprus, the only cancellations are some of the flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut. British Airways has grounded its Heathrow-Larnaca-Tel Aviv operation. But links with both cities are continuing on El Al and Middle East Airlines respectively, the national carriers for Israel and Lebanon.
Paphos, in the west of the island, is operating normally – with the exception of links to Tel Aviv.
Ercan, the airport for the self-styled “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, has links only to Turkey, which are continuing as normal.
Road links to and from the airports – and elsewhere in the country – are not encountering any problems.
What warnings does the UK government have for travellers to Cyprus?
The official travel advice for the island has not been amended since June 2024, when it was “reviewed for style and accuracy”.
The only significant concerns are about the north of Cyprus. The Foreign Office says: ”If you enter the Republic of Cyprus through the north (such as through Ercan airport), authorities will consider you to have entered illegally. You could be fined for illegal entry; refused entry to or exit from the Republic of Cyprus; prevented from crossing back into the north of Cyprus.”
Under the heading “Regional risks” the only concern is the long-standing warning about travel to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: “FCDO can only provide limited consular support if you are visiting…
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