Paphos International Airport in Cyprus was evacuated on Monday afternoon after an unidentified drone was spotted within the airport's restricted airspace. Passengers and staff were ordered to leave the terminal building shortly after 12:45 pm local time (10:45 am GMT) as a precautionary measure while security teams assessed the situation.
The evacuation comes amid heightened tensions following a suspected drone strike on RAF Akrotiri, a British military base approximately 37 miles (60 km) from Paphos. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the incident, which occurred at midnight local time on 2 March, but reported no casualties. Force protection at the base has been raised to the highest level.
The US Embassy in Cyprus issued a warning to US citizens about a possible drone threat in the Paphos region, advising them to avoid areas near military installations and government buildings, and to stay indoors away from windows. The embassy urged citizens to remain alert and safe.
In response to the events, easyJet cancelled all flights to and from Paphos and Larnaca airports on Monday. The airline stated that three return flights would not operate as a precaution, and advised customers due to travel in the coming days to check the flight tracker for updates. Options for rebooking, refunds, and accommodation were offered to affected passengers.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice for Cyprus, noting a heightened risk of regional tension and warning that escalation could lead to travel disruption. British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas were advised to follow instructions from local authorities.
