Cyprus airspace is open and Larnaca and Paphos airports are operating as of July 2026.
A renewed US–Iran conflict is disrupting Gulf and Middle East routes. Here is the current Cyprus flight status and what travellers need to know.
Cyprus Airspace Status
Cyprus airspace (Nicosia FIR) is open and has stayed open throughout the conflict. The disruption travellers face comes from closures and restrictions in neighbouring Middle Eastern airspace, not in Cyprus itself.
Conflict-zone monitors rate the Nicosia FIR at “Level 3 — Caution.” Active NOTAMs warn of military aircraft operating without transponders and ongoing GPS spoofing and jamming, with particular risk on overwater routes east of Cyprus.
A 15-nautical-mile exclusion zone around RAF Akrotiri is enforced during scheduled military exercises. These are confined to early-morning windows, published by NOTAM at least 24 hours ahead, and have minimal impact on commercial flights.
Larnaca Airport (LCA): Open and Operating
Larnaca International Airport is open and operational. Operator Hermes Airports says both Cyprus airports continue to serve passengers on all scheduled and available flights, and advises travellers to check with their airline before heading to the airport.
European routes are operating largely as normal. Flights to Larnaca from London, Athens, Istanbul and Frankfurt are running, with carriers including easyJet, British Airways, Lufthansa and Aegean maintaining schedules.
Gulf and Middle East connections are the most affected. With the renewed US–Iran conflict, airlines are avoiding large stretches of Gulf airspace, and services to Tel Aviv and Beirut remain suspended due to airspace risks at the destination end.
Paphos Airport (PFO): Operating Normally
Paphos Airport is running its European timetable normally. It is generally less exposed to Middle East route disruption than Larnaca, making it a reliable option for travellers.
Flights to Paphos from European cities are operating without significant issues. You can also find hotels in Paphos on Wego.
Ercan Airport (ECN): Operating via Turkey
Ercan Airport in Northern Cyprus operates only on routes to and from Turkey and is handling its regular schedule. Airlines including Pegasus and SunExpress run services to Istanbul, Ankara and other Turkish cities.
The Renewed US–Iran Conflict and Cyprus
The truce reached earlier this year has broken down, and fighting between the US and Iran has resumed and widened through July 2026. US strikes on Iranian targets have drawn Iranian attacks on US bases across the Gulf, including in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.
European aviation regulators now advise airlines to avoid the airspace of Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and the western Gulf of Oman. Kuwait’s airspace is closed to overflights, with only approved arrivals and departures permitted — a major gap in Gulf routing.
Cyprus has not been struck and its airports keep operating, which has reinforced the island’s role as a diversion and relief hub for the eastern Mediterranean. Travellers connecting onward to the Gulf or Levant should confirm both legs of their journey directly with their airline.
Airline Updates
Wizz Air is operating flights from Larnaca to European destinations including London, Budapest and Bucharest. Its suspensions to Tel Aviv and Amman remain in place.
easyJet is operating its routes to Larnaca and Paphos normally.
British Airways, Lufthansa and Aegean are running their European services to Cyprus without major disruption.
Travel Advisories
Government advice is being reviewed frequently during the renewed escalation, so check your own government’s guidance directly before booking. The headline positions from major governments are summarised below.
| Authority | Position | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| US State Department | Level has shifted during the conflict | The Cyprus advisory has moved between levels as the regional situation changed. Check the current level before you travel. |
| UK FCDO | No advisory against travel | Warns the regional situation is unpredictable and urges travellers to keep plans under review. |
| Australia Smartraveller | High degree of caution | Cites the volatile regional security situation. |
The Cypriot government maintains that the island is safe to visit, with day-to-day life and tourism continuing normally across the government-controlled south.
Passenger Rights and Compensation
EU Regulation 261/2004 applies to flights departing EU airports, including Cyprus. If your flight is cancelled or heavily delayed, you may be entitled to rerouting, a refund, or care such as meals and accommodation.
Disruption caused by conflict or airspace closures is usually treated as an “extraordinary circumstance,” which can rule out cash compensation but still leaves your right to a refund or rerouting intact. Keep your documents, file a claim with your airline, and see the EU air passenger rights pages for the detail. You can also use Wego’s flight tracker to monitor your flight in real time.
What Travellers Should Do Now
- Check before you travel. Confirm your flight status with Wego’s flight tracker and your airline; European routes are running, but Gulf and Levant connections may still be affected.
- Consider Paphos. If your Larnaca flight faces issues, Paphos tends to be less exposed to Middle East route disruption.
- Verify connecting legs. If you transit Cyprus to or from the Gulf, confirm the onward segment, as Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and UAE operations are disrupted.
- Review your travel insurance. Make sure your policy covers conflict-related disruption; some insurers have added regional exclusions.
- Book flexible accommodation. Search for hotels in Larnaca or hotels in Paphos with free cancellation in case plans change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cyprus airspace open?
Yes. Cyprus airspace has stayed open throughout the conflict. Disruption to some flights is driven by airspace restrictions elsewhere in the Middle East, not in Cyprus.
Is Larnaca Airport open?
Yes. Larnaca Airport is open and operating. European flights are running, while Gulf and Levant routes remain affected by the renewed conflict.
Is Paphos Airport open?
Yes. Paphos Airport is operating its timetable normally and is generally a reliable alternative for travellers to Cyprus.
How is the renewed US–Iran conflict affecting flights from Cyprus?
Mainly on Gulf and Levant routes. Airlines are avoiding large parts of Gulf airspace and Kuwait’s airspace is closed to overflights, so some Cyprus–Middle East connections are cancelled or rerouted. Cyprus itself has not been struck and its airports keep operating.
Is it safe to travel to Cyprus right now?
Tourism is continuing normally in the government-controlled south. The UK FCDO has no advisory against travel but warns the regional situation is unpredictable. Check your own government’s current travel advice before booking.
Can I still connect through Cyprus to the Gulf?
Sometimes, but verify both legs. Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and UAE operations are disrupted and Kuwait’s airspace is closed to overflights. Confirm your onward flight directly with the airline before travelling.
Sources
- Hermes Airports — Flight Info for Passengers Travelling to/from Cyprus Airports
- Safe Airspace — Cyprus (Nicosia FIR) Risk Advisory
- OPSGROUP — Middle East Airspace: Current Operational Picture
- Al Jazeera — US Attacks Iran as IRGC Claims Strikes on US Military Sites in the Gulf (July 2026)
- UK FCDO — Cyprus Travel Advice
- US State Department — Cyprus Travel Advisory
- Australia Smartraveller — Cyprus
- EASA — Conflict Zone Information Bulletins
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
