Israel has declared Paphos airport, a major hub for charter and low-cost carriers, as being a security risk and ordered three airlines to redirect their flights to Larnaca due to undisclosed threats.
However, Israeli media reported that a travel advisory has not been issued for tourists visiting the holiday resort of Paphos.
While Cypriot and Israeli authorities remain tight-lipped over the reasons for the airline directive that will see about ten weekly flights operated by El Al, Arkia and Israir redirected to Larnaca, it could deal a serious blow to tourist flows to the coastal town just as military co-operation with the U.S. is slated to upgraded the adjacent air base.
Israel supplies on average about 12-15% of all tourist arrivals to Cyprus, many of whom prefer to land in Paphos and stay in some of the hotels and resorts in the area.
On Sunday, the domestic security agency Shin Bet ordered the suspension of Israeli commercial flights to Paphos, citing security concerns.
It said in a statement that “the decision to concentrate flights to and from Cyprus to the Larnaca airfield is based on various security considerations.”
The Cyprus government tried to play down the airline ban, after relations with the U.S. were upgraded in recent weeks, including plans for increased use of Paphos airport’s adjacent Evangelos Florakis military base as a launchpad for mainly civilian operations in the region.
Deputy Government Spokesman Yiannis Antoniou told state broadcaster CyBC on Monday that the decision by the Israeli security services was taken exclusively for the safety of the three Israeli airlines.
He assured that, “there are no reasons for concern about the security of Paphos airport,” and that the services of the Republic of Cyprus are “closely monitoring the situation”.
He explained that had there been a security issue for Paphos airport, then a different procedure would be followed.
Reuters reported last week that a military assessment team from the United States will be in Cyprus as part of defence upgrades.
The evaluation team, based in Germany, would provide know-how and recommendations on infrastructure projects to enhance interoperability with the U.S. and other partners, government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said.
“The upgrading of infrastructure, the supply of modern means and the investment in training are key pillars of our national strategy for an effective and flexible defence,” Letymbiotis told a news briefing.
Part of the assessment will look at the potential to upgrade landing facilities at the Paphos airbase to allow for large-scale evacuation operations from the region if needed, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
Joe Biden met with his Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides in Washington last October after establishing a roadmap to boost two-way defense cooperation between the United States and Cyprus.
And on January 15 the former U.S. President issued a presidential memorandum that makes Cyprus eligible to receive American defense articles and military sales, as well as services, including training.
U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Julie Davis had said that, “the President’s determination of the Republic of Cyprus’s eligibility for government-to-government defense sales marks an important step in deepening the bilateral relationship, enhancing security cooperation, and promoting regional stability.
“Cyprus continues to be a key partner for promoting security and stability in the eastern Mediterranean, including facilitating humanitarian assistance to Gaza and assisting the departure of American citizens from conflict zones.”
