Serious concern is growing in Cyprus’s tourism sector as continuous flight cancellations from European destinations deal a heavy blow to this season’s planning. Since last Saturday, when missile strikes against Iran began, cancellations at the country’s two airports have exceeded 250.
The disruptions are not limited to Middle East and Israel routes — flights from Germany, the UK and Austria are also being cancelled, with major airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, EasyJet and Austrian Airlines continuously adjusting their schedules.
The situation is leading some hotel units that had planned to reopen in late March or early April to consider postponing their opening dates. Today, Wednesday, 66 cancellations were recorded — 48 at Larnaca Airport and 21 at Paphos Airport.
On a positive note, repatriation flights began today, with the first chartered flight from Dubai expected late this afternoon carrying 180 Cypriots. Over 700 Cypriot citizens are in the UAE, while eight returned from Israel via Egypt last night.
