People at a well-known tourist airport have been instructed to evacuate immediately. Paphos International Airport in Cyprus was ordered to clear out promptly due to the detection of an unidentified drone in the restricted airspace. This directive comes after easyJet canceled all flights to the holiday island for British travelers following a drone attack on an RAF base on the Mediterranean island.
The US embassy in Cyprus issued a warning about a potential drone threat to the Paphos region, advising US citizens in Cyprus to remain vigilant and safe, and to avoid the embassy unless it’s an emergency.
UK officials confirmed that RAF Akrotiri had been targeted in a drone attack, with uncertainties regarding whether the drone was launched directly from Iran or by Tehran-backed entities such as Hezbollah in Lebanon.
As a precautionary measure, easyJet announced the cancellation of three return flights between Paphos and Larnaca. The airline stated that flights scheduled for March 3 are currently operating as planned but urged passengers to stay updated with any changes.
Following the events at the RAF base in Akrotiri, easyJet mentioned, “We are taking all necessary steps to reduce disruptions for our customers and offering rebooking options on other airlines or refunds, along with accommodation and meals as needed. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority as we closely monitor the security situation in the area.”
The drone incident at Akrotiri occurred after Sir Keir Starmer disclosed that American forces would utilize British bases to target Iranian missile sites in response to Tehran’s attacks on countries in the Middle East.
It is estimated that around 300,000 Britons are present in Iran-targeted countries, with 102,000 registered with the Foreign Office for updates as officials explore potential actions, including a mass evacuation if necessary. Fortunately, the damage caused by the drone attack at Akrotiri was minimal, with no reported casualties.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence emphasized the priority of safeguarding personnel and their families, mentioning the relocation of family members from RAF Akrotiri to nearby accommodation as a precautionary measure. Sir Keir clarified that British forces would not directly engage in the strikes, emphasizing the defensive purpose of targeting missile storage facilities and launchers to prevent further attacks on Iran’s neighboring countries.
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