A UK airbase in Cyprus was hit by a drone strike overnight, as conflict continues to spread across the Middle East.
The strike at RAF Akrotiri, by an Iranian-made Shahed drone, came just hours after Sir Keir Starmer allowed the US to use British military bases to attack Iran.
Thankfully, there were no casualties, with the blast targeting the airport runway.
Nikos Christodoulides, the Cypriot president, said the country’s forces were on ‘alert and in full operational readiness’.
With Cyprus being a popular destination for British holidaymakers, many will likely be wondering whether it’s safe to travel there right now.
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The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has claimed that there is a ‘heightened risk’ of regional tension in Cyprus.
Brits who are planning to visit Cyprus should take ‘sensible precautions, considering their own personal circumstances’ and are warned that escalation could lead to ‘travel disruptions and other unanticipated impacts’.
Examples of precautions travellers should take include signing up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts, reading UK government’s guidance on how to prepare for a crisis and what to do in a crisis abroad.
It’s also advised that you monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for local alerts/resources to follow instructions from local authorities.
Can you fly from the UK to Cyprus right now?
Many airlines fly direct from the UK to Cyprus, including British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air UK and Jet2.
The vast majority of flights are still running, but Cyprus Paphos airport has been evacuated after a ‘suspect object’ was picked up on radar, so it’s likely a number of flights will be impacted.
This comes after easyJet has cancelled all flights between the UK and Cyprus.
The budget airline operates flights between the UK and Cyprus Paphos and Cyprus Larnaca, including from London Gatwick and Manchester.
Flights have been cancelled due to ‘increased security issues in the Eastern Mediterranean’.
An easyJet spokesperson said: ‘Due to the events overnight affecting the RAF base in Akrotiri in Cyprus, as a precaution, three return flights between Paphos and Larnaca and the UK today will not be operating.
‘Flights from 3 March are currently operating as planned, but we would advise customers due to travel to and from Cyprus over the coming days to check our flight tracker for the latest information.
‘We are doing all we can to minimise the impact for our customers and are providing options for rebooking, including on other airlines or a refund as well as hotel accommodation and meals for those who require them.
‘The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority, and we continue to closely monitor the security situation in the region.’
Several British Airways flights also appear to have been cancelled at Larnaca.
Dozens of other flights from Cyprus across the Middle East have also been cancelled this week, following airspace closures and security concerns.
Keep checking the status of your flight and sign up to receive official communications from your airline for further updates.
What to do if your flight to Cyprus is cancelled?
According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), if your flight is cancelled, airlines must provide passengers with assistance under UK law.
This includes a reasonable amount of food and drink (usually provided as a voucher), a means of communication, accommodation if you are rerouted the next day, and transport to and from the accommodation.
The CAA says: ‘The airline must provide you with these items until it is able to fly you to your destination, no matter how long the delay lasts or what has caused it.
‘Sometimes airlines are unable to arrange care and assistance for all passengers. This can happen when staff are stretched during major disruptions.
‘If this happens, in our view, you have the right to organise reasonable care and assistance yourself, then claim the cost back later. If you end up paying for things yourself, keep every receipt and do not spend more than is reasonable. Airlines are unlikely to refund you for things like luxury hotels or alcohol. Some will provide guidance on reasonable costs.’
Can you get a refund if you decide not to travel to Cyprus?
If you decide against travelling, whether or not you can claim a refund will depend on your ticket type.
If you have a flexible ticket, you may be able to claim a full refund or change the date of travel, up to 24 hours prior to departure.
However, if you’ve booked a non-refundable ticket, you may not be eligible for a refund, as the Foreign Office hasn’t explicitly advised against travel to Cyprus.
Keep an eye on travel alerts and news in case anything changes.
Can I fly to Turkey right now?
As Turkey is near Cyprus, many people might be wondering if they can travel there.
Currently, the FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria, ‘due to fighting and heightened risk of terrorism’.
They’ve warned that regional escalation poses ‘significant security risks’ and there is travel disruption.
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