Police arrested a 44-year-old man on 17 September after he allegedly forced a woman out of her parked vehicle at Paphos International Airport, drove off, collided with another car and eventually crashed into a barrier near the airport roundabout. The incident, which unfolded in daylight just metres from the terminal entrance, caused temporary traffic congestion and alarm among passengers queuing for taxis and rental cars. Although no serious injuries were reported, the hijacking has prompted calls for improved landside security. Airport operator Hermes Airports stated that CCTV footage aided police in tracking the stolen car but conceded that patrol frequency outside the terminal may need review. The Civil Aviation Security Committee is expected to discuss whether additional barriers, licence-plate recognition cameras or random police patrols should be introduced. For corporate travellers and relocation assignees, the episode serves as a reminder that airports’ non-sterile areas can be vulnerable. Travel-risk consultancies advise companies to brief employees on situational awareness, particularly when loading luggage or leaving vehicles unattended even briefly. Rental-car firms at Paphos have circulated guidelines urging customers to keep engines off and doors locked while dropping off passengers. The broader mobility impact was limited to a 40-minute traffic diversion and minor flight-check-in delays, but tour operators worry that any perception of lax security could dampen late-season arrivals. The Cyprus Tourism Deputy Ministry said it would coordinate with police to ensure swift implementation of any recommended measures before the busy October half-term rush.
Source: Cyprus Inform
