With the Orthodox Easter getaway approaching, Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos used a 30 April press briefing to urge citizens to rethink holiday plans that would take them into active conflict theatres in Israel, Lebanon or Iran. Kombos reminded reporters that Cyprus’s air-bridge evacuation last month was both costly and logistically exhausting, adding: “We cannot repeat that operation—people must heed official advisories.” During the October–November escalation, Larnaca Airport served as the Eastern Mediterranean’s main evacuation hub, processing more than 10 000 EU nationals in nine days. The experience prompted Cyprus to formalise a Rapid Evacuation Mechanism with France and Germany, but authorities say the system is designed for last-resort scenarios, not as a safety net for risky leisure travel. The minister’s comments follow intelligence that Cypriot package-tour agencies have begun advertising heavily discounted “Holy Land” pilgrimages to attract late bookings. Insurance underwriters warn that most standard travel policies exclude war-related disruptions, leaving travellers liable for costly repatriation. Employers with assignees in the wider region are being asked to update duty-of-care registers and prepare contingency extraction plans. Kombos also stressed the humanitarian dimension, noting that Gaza remains “a critical theatre” and that Cyprus is coordinating maritime aid corridors. He appealed for solidarity rather than “crisis tourism,” framing responsible travel as part of the island’s wider diplomatic role. Practically, the Foreign Ministry has upgraded its Consular App to push real-time alerts and is piloting a pre-trip registration portal for Cypriot nationals. Companies should encourage staff to log itineraries so they can receive SMS advisories if regional security deteriorates during the Easter period.
Source: In-Cyprus
