Cyprus has become a humanitarian hub for hundreds of passengers following the Israeli government’s approval of special repatriation flights for Israeli citizens stranded abroad and evacuation operations for foreign nationals, with Larnaca airport and port at the centre of the operations.
Around 1,500 foreign nationals arrived at Larnaca port yesterday morning aboard the luxury cruise ship Crown Iris from Haifa, whilst Larnaca airport had arranged 13 special flights by yesterday afternoon to transport over 1,000 people stranded in Cyprus back to Israel.
Security measures have been significantly enhanced, with heavily armed police guarding even ticket check points in the departure lounge, where primarily Israeli citizens are congregating.
American passengers who arrived at Larnaca port described the terrifying conditions in Israel to philenews. “We feel safe in Cyprus,” said Neil Sahar, who was searching for a flight via a third country to return to the United States. “I was in Haifa for holidays and the situation especially at nights was terrifying. We had to go to shelters. We were scared”.
Crystal Mois from Minnesota, who was in Israel for holidays with a group of other Americans, said: “We were scared because of the situation. At nights we had to go to the shelters”.
The Crown Iris, which carried Americans, Canadians and Australians, is expected to transport approximately 1,600 Israelis who wish to return from Limassol port to Haifa today. The vessel will make at least two more trips as part of an operation called “Safe Return”.
Israeli nationals arriving at Larnaca airport, mainly from European countries, are desperately searching for return flights. “We want to return home. We just arrived from Moldova and we’re looking for a flight,” said Alexander Teizer. “I have my wife and children there and they tell me there are missile attacks every few hours. It’s very difficult, I’m worried”.
Yesterday, approximately 1,000 Israelis stranded in Cyprus managed to return on 13 special emergency flights – nine to Haifa and four to Tel Aviv.
A pregnant woman with her two children, Limo, who was in Ayia Napa, said they had secured tickets to travel from Larnaca airport to Haifa. “We had come to Cyprus for four days and ended up staying another four. I’m afraid to return because of my children, but we have to go back.”
International media estimate that around 150,000 Israelis are currently outside the country, with arrangements being made for the return of those who wish to come back via private airline flights.
EL Al announced yesterday afternoon it had received over 70,000 requests from Israelis wishing to return on flights scheduled for the next 24 hours from Larnaca, Athens, Rome and London, conditions permitting.
Hotel occupancy soars in Larnaca
Despite cancellations from Israelis who had arranged holidays in Cyprus, hotels in Larnaca have filled up over the past two days due to the arrival of significant numbers of foreign nationals. Sources indicate that since Tuesday, occupancy rates in all hotel units in the city and tourist areas of Oroklini and Pyla have exceeded 95%.
Through the National Estia Plan, 132 foreign nationals had arrived in Larnaca from conflict zones by late yesterday afternoon on five aircraft – four from Slovakia and one from Portugal. Slovakia is evacuating its nationals from Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt, whilst Portugal is evacuating from Amman, Jordan.
Private boat transfers continue between Israel and the marinas of Larnaca, Limassol and Ayia Napa.
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