Iranian authorities have confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during an air attack by the United States and Israel. The country declared 40 days of mourning. Tehran retaliates
Israel and
American bases in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The airspace over almost the entire Middle East is closed to passenger aircraft. Cyprus has activated the Estia plan
.
ROLE OF CYPRUS
— We emphasize the role of Cyprus as a pillar of security and stability in the Middle East region, as a bridge of peace and security, a transit point for the safe evacuation of the civilian population, —
stated
President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, clarifying that he hopes for a speedy de-escalation.
The Estia plan has been activated, under which people from the conflict zone can be evacuated through Cyprus. The Government is in contact with all neighboring countries, as well as the EU and other countries, including the US and UK. Nicosia's further steps will be taken "within the framework of a humanitarian approach."
AIR SERVICES
Hermes Airports consortium development director Maria Kouroupi said flights to and from the Middle East were canceled on February 28: nine arriving and 12 departing at Larnaca, and two arriving and two departing at Paphos. Total number
passengers on these flights exceeded 2,000 people.
The schedule for March 1 is canceled
From Larnaca - all flights to Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Tel Aviv and Haifa + Emirates flight to Malta From Paphos - two flights to Tel Aviv and Haifa
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MFA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus has recommended against travel to eight additional countries: Bahrain, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Let us recall that the Foreign Ministry previously advised against visiting Iran, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Addresses and telephone numbers of the embassies of the Republic of Cyprus in the countries of the Middle East are available at
link
on the PIO website
