Charter Flights Begin for Evacuation of Cypriots, Letymbiotis Says

Letymbiotis said the Greek Cypriot Foreign Ministry has completed the necessary arrangements, particularly for Greek Cypriot citizens in the United Arab Emirates, and that the evacuation process has been launched. He noted that the flights will be carried out in line with instructions from the authorities responsible for United Arab Emirates airspace and in coordination with regional bodies.

He added that the National Crisis Management Centre of the Greek Cypriot Foreign Ministry is in direct contact with citizens who have shared their details via the Connectcy platform and that the flight schedule is being organized accordingly. Citizens who have registered on the platform do not need to take any further action.

As part of the evacuation plan, the first flight will depart from Dubai. According to the Cyprus News Agency, an aircraft operated by Cyprus Airways departed Larnaca Airport for Dubai at 07:30 this morning. The Airbus A320 aircraft is expected to return to Cyprus later in the day carrying approximately 180 passengers.

Officials said around 700 Cypriots are currently in Dubai and that two additional evacuation flights may be carried out in the coming days.

Meanwhile, it was reported that eight Greek Cypriot citizens in Israel were also brought back to the country on a flight departing from Egypt as part of the evacuation plan. Letymbiotis stressed that the safe return of citizens remains the top priority.