Cyprus Paphos Airport evacuated after ‘drone threat’ | World | News
Paphos International Airport has been urgently evacuated on Monday following reports of a possible drone threat in the Paphos area. The country’s second largest airport was ordered into an immediate and total evacuation after an unidentified drone was detected within the facility’s restricted airspace.
All passengers and staff vacated the airport shortly after 12.45pm (10.45am GMT), airport operations have been temporarily suspended to ensure public safety. Footage from the scene shows crowds of passengers and staff huddled in the airport parking areas, awaiting further instructions. The US Embassy in Cyprus says they are aware of “information about a possible drone threat to Paphos region”.
Urging US citizens “to stay alert and safe” the Embassy says people should not come to them “unless of an emergency”.
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Cyprus is remaining on high alert after an Iranian drone crashed into a British RAF base in Akrotiri. Located on the western coast Paphos is around 37 miles (60 kilometres) from Akrotiri. Following the worrying incident, families were evacuated from the base.
Numerous flights from Paphos have either been cancelled or diverted. easyJet has cancelled three return flights between Paphos and Larnaca and the UK today.
Flights from March 3 are currently operating as planned but the airline is advising customers due to travel to and from Cyprus over the coming days to check our flight tracker for the latest information.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has today updated its travel advice for Cyprus.
The latest guidance reads: “On 2 March 2026, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed a suspected drone impact at RAF Akrotiri.
“British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration British Bases Cyprus Facebook British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities.”
FCDO adds that there is a “heightened risk of regional tension” and “escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts”.
