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Passengers have been evacuated from Paphos International Airport in Cyprus amid reports of an unidentified drone flying into its airspace. Here are the latest updates from airlines with flights to the island.

Paphos International Airport in Cyprus ordered an ‘immediate and total evacuation’ this morning (March 2) amid reports that an unidentified drone had been flown into its restricted airspace.

Some European airlines including easyJet have already been cancelling their flights to Larnaca International Airport, a major hub for package holidays, after a drone strike hit the RAF base in Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Cyprus is a popular destination for Brits, with over 1.3 million visiting each year, and with the busy Easter period on the way, many holidaymakers may be wondering how this will affect their travel plans. Around 60 flights have been cancelled to the island today, and airlines will be closely monitoring the situation in order to make a decision on resuming flights in the coming days and weeks.

Check out updates from airlines including British Airways and easyJet below. Travellers to the island should also keep up to date with FCDO advice for Cyprus, as the situation is likely to change quickly.

British Airways (BA)

BA said in its latest statement: “We are closely monitoring the situation and have cancelled a number of flights to the Middle East. We understand it is a difficult time for customers in affected destinations and we are in contact with them to offer reassurance and support. Safety is our top priority and we will only operate a flight if it is safe to do so.”

It added: “We have cancelled flights to Amman, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv up to and including the 05 March and today’s Larnaca service [March 2].

“We have actioned a flexible customer booking policy which allows all customers due to travel between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Tel Aviv in the coming days the option to change their flights for free or get a refund. Customers travelling to Larnaca can rebook for free.

“We are advising customers to check their flight status on BA.com for the latest updates before travelling to the airport due to the evolving situation.”

EasyJet

EasyJet has been advising passengers on X (formerly Twitter) to check its Flight Tracker for the latest information on whether their Cyprus flight will be delayed or cancelled.

An easyJet spokesperson told The Express: “Due to the events overnight affecting the RAF base in Akrotiri in Cyprus, as a precaution, three return flights between Paphos and Larnaca and the UK today will not be operating.

“Flights from 3 March are currently operating as planned but we would advise customers due to travel to and from Cyprus over the coming days to check our flight tracker for the latest information.

“We are doing all we can to minimise the impact for our customers and are providing options for rebooking including on other airlines or a refund as well as hotel accommodation and meals for those who require them.”

TUI

A TUI spokesperson said: “The safety of our customers is our highest priority, and we are closely monitoring the situation in the middle east and surrounding regions. We are currently operating our Cyprus program as planned, but as this is an evolving situation, that could be subject to change.” Paphos and Larnaca airport shows TUI flights scheduled from Wednesday onwards, with no cancellations or delays showing at the time of writing.

TUI has also previously released a statement for customers due to fly out to the UAE or Qatar up to and including March 8, advising: “our pre-travel team will be in contact with you ahead of your departure date.” It also advises: “We are working though bookings in date order and will call you to discuss your options. However, if you would prefer, please call us on 0203 451 2688.” Should the current situation extend to Cyprus, it’s likely the process would be the same.

READ MORE: Emirates, British Airways and Wizz Air’s latest updates on UAE flight cancellationsREAD MORE: What travel insurance will actually cover if you’re affected by UAE travel chaos

Jet2

Jet2 flights scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday (March 3 and 4) are not yet showing as cancelled or delayed on the Paphos Airport website. Customers who have asked for advice via Jet2’s official X account have been advised to contact the Jet2 pre-travel team via Whatsapp to discuss their options.

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A NUMBER of airlines have cancelled flights from the UK to Cyprus after the evacuation of Paphos Airport.

More than 60 flights to and from Cyprus airports have been cancelled this week after the runway at major British RAF base in Cyprus was struck by an Iranian drone.

This includes 42 flights to Larnaca, and 18 flights to Paphos, according to Hermes Airport who operates them both.

Local media previously reported that all easyJet flights were cancelled between the UK and Cyprus until Thursday, however the airline confirmed just three have been cancelled so far today.

An easyJet spokesperson said: “Due to the events overnight affecting the RAF base in Akrotiri in Cyprus, as a precaution, three return flights between Paphos and Larnaca and the UK today will not be operating.

“Flights from March 3 are currently operating as planned but we would advise customers due to travel to and from Cyprus over the coming days to check our flight tracker for the latest information.

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“We are doing all we can to minimise the impact for our customers and are providing options for rebooking including on other airlines or a refund as well as hotel accommodation and meals for those who require them.

“The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority and we continue to closely monitor the security situation in the region.”

British Airways has also cancelled a Larnaca flight today.

They said in a statement: “We are closely monitoring the situation and have cancelled a number of our flights to the Middle East.

“Safety is always our top priority, and we’re contacting our customers to advise them of their travel options.”

While no casualties were reported in the attack , the base is moving families and temporarily relocating non-essential staff.

Three British schools on the island have also been closed with immediate effect.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “The safety of our personnel and their families is our absolute priority.

“Our base and personnel continue to operate as normal protecting the safety of Britain and our interests.”

EasyJet flies to both Paphos and Larnaca in Cyprus from several UK airports including London Gatwick, Manchester and Bristol.

Hundreds of other flights have been cancelled today as air travel continues to experience disruption caused the conflict in the Middle East.

Dubai Airport – one of the world’s busiest with up to 2,500 flights a day – remains closed for the third day running.

British Airways has cancelled a number of flights to the Middle East, which includes from London Heathrow to Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Amman.

A number of Virgin Atlantic flights have been cancelled to the UAE, with others rerouted.

Flight compensation rules

A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.

Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways passengers are also all facing cancelled flights.

As many as 94,000 Brits are thought to be still stranded abroad, with the Foreign Office working a rescue mission.

LOVE Island beauty Ella Barnes has revealed she was evacuated from Dubai airport amid Iran missile strikes.

The influencer, 25, who starred on the ITV show in 2023, took to Instagram to explain her flight had been cancelled.

Ella posted an image of the empty airport to her social media account and captioned it: “Got evacuated out of Dubai airport and my flight home cancelled.

“Guess, I’ll be staying here a little longer.”

A scared Ella, later posted snaps of missiles in the air and wrote: “Missiles in the sky.

“No this is so scary. Listen to how loud the explosion is at the end. WTF.”

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However, earlier today, Ella posted a snap of her driving along a deserted highway and wrote: “We are out of here. Thanks for all the messages. Had so many”

Ella found fame in Love Island 2023, and stole Sheffield lad Mitch Taylor, 28, from his partner Abi Moores, 25, after entering the matchmaking series as a bombshell.

Ella and Love Island alum Mitch announced their split at the end of August 2023, with two separate statements on social media.

Since then, Ella has seen her screen career go from strength to strength.

She bagged a role on TOWIE as the love interest of Roman Hackett prior to their split.

She then became loved-up with her wealthy entrepreneur man Neil Farrugia after the pair made their relationship official  in 2024.

But, she split from the hunk last year as the pair struggled to find time to see each other after a year of dating.

Ella is based in Kent in the UK, while fitness fanatic Neil who previously dated fellow Love Islander Gemma Owen, lives in Malta.

On Saturday, black smoke was seen billowing across the skyline in Dubai after debris from Iran’s missile blitz across the city.

Iran launched a barrage of rockets at nations across the Middle East after vowing revenge for Trump and Israel’s huge blitz on the rogue nation today.

The United Arab Emirate’s top holiday hot spot Dubai is usually a sought after travel destination for celebrities and influencers.

In more recent-times, celebrities from the United Kingdom have been emigrating there, with many Brit celebs choosing Dubai as the place they want to bring up their families.

Sam Gowland from Geordie Shore shared how a “rocket” flew over his home.

“Right above us on the Palm in Dubai today, bloody scary, I tell you that. Never heard a noise like it before,” he penned.

He then later shared a photo of a rocket near his home, writing: “Rocket above my house wtf this is crazy.”

Love Island star Arabella Chi, who relocated from the UK to Dubai with her partner, Billy Henty, and their daughter, Gigi, in 2025, has also shared posts about the scary time she is enduring.

“Dubai friends. Scary times. Stay safe,” she penned on her Instagram stories.

Just hours before the missile strikes, Arabella and her partner were playing with their daughter in the sand.