Khaberni - Today, Monday, Paphos International Airport on the island of Cyprus, witnessed the evacuation of the passenger terminal and tightened security measures after detecting threats related to drones, in a security development that coincides with escalating regional tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Navigation data from the "Flight Radar" platform showed seven civilian aircraft departing from the airport within a closely timed period, reflecting a rapid move to evacuate the surrounding airspace and reduce air traffic density as a precaution.
The data indicated some flights were redirected or had their departure times moved forward, at a time when authorities did not announce a complete suspension of air navigation.
The official Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation reported that the evacuation decision came after radar systems detected a suspicious aerial object moving within close range of the airport, prompting the activation of emergency protocols and the temporary evacuation of the passenger terminal to ensure the safety of travelers and staff.
Video clips published by Cypriot news platforms showed dozens of passengers gathered outside the airport building and lined up in open areas away from the gates, with security patrols and police elements organizing the exit movement and directing passengers to designated assembly points.
The spokesperson for the Cypriot government stated that the authorities dealt in a timely manner with two drones that were moving towards the British bases in Akrotiri, confirming that the monitoring and response systems operated according to the approved procedures.
The U.S. Department of State also urged its citizens in the capital Nicosia to exercise caution and follow the instructions issued by local authorities in light of the security developments. No evacuation directives or closures of diplomatic missions have been issued yet.
The evacuation of Paphos Airport in Cyprus comes in the context of an accelerating regional escalation in the Middle East, where the scope of indirect confrontations and drone attacks between regional parties has expanded over recent weeks, leading to raised alert levels in a number of countries geographically or militarily in contact with the tension hotspots.
Cyprus acquires a special sensitivity in this context due to its location in the Eastern Mediterranean and its proximity to the Syrian, Lebanese, and Israeli coasts, as well as its hosting of British military bases, notably the Akrotiri base.
