Repatriation flight for Cypriots departs today from Dubai
A repatriation flight bringing Cypriots home from the Middle East is scheduled to depart Wednesday from Dubai, as part of an organised effort to return stranded nationals.
Cyprus Airways flight CYP107 is expected to leave Dubai international airport at 2pm and arrive at Larnaca at around 6.35pm, subject to security and airspace conditions.
The flight forms part of a repatriation plan activated by the government in response to disruptions caused by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said late on Tuesday that charter flights had been arranged by the foreign ministry, with an initial focus on Cypriots in the United Arab Emirates.
He said all necessary preparations had been completed and procedures were already underway, stressing that flights would operate only “under the obvious and non-negotiable condition of ensuring safety”.
“The protection and safe return of our citizens is an absolute priority,” Letymbiotis assured, adding that operations are being carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the competent national authority responsible for airspace control in the UAE and in coordination with regional authorities.
Officials from the foreign ministry’s national crisis management centre are in direct contact with Cypriots who registered their details on the Connect2CY platform to organise flight scheduling.
Letymbiotis said those individuals who have already submitted their information are not required to take any further action, while the ministry continues to work intensively to ensure the return of all nationals wishing to come home.
A flight from Egypt has already transported eight Cypriot citizens who had been in Israel.
Government estimates indicate that just over 2,000 Cypriots in the UAE registered on the platform following the outbreak of hostilities, though officials believe the total number of Cypriot nationals in the country could be considerably higher.
Sources close to the Cyprus Mail said that stranded Cypriot nationals registered on the Connect2CY platform have themselves created a WhatsApp group, aimed at improving coordination among those awaiting repatriation and facilitating the practical organisation of their return.
According to the same sources, priority for available seats has been determined on humanitarian grounds, with families and individuals facing particular vulnerabilities taken into account as part of the scheduling process.
Airspace closures and repeated flight cancellations across the Middle East have left hundreds of Cypriots stranded abroad, prompting the activation of the national repatriation plan.
Authorities have said accommodation costs are being covered for Cypriots in Abu Dhabi, while support continues for those in Dubai and other affected locations.
Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos has told EU counterparts that the safe return of Cypriots remains the government’s primary concern.
Government officials have said Cyprus is fully operationally and ready to assist and continues to examine requests for help with responsibility and a positive approach.
The repatriation effort follows a drone strike on the British base at Akrotiri earlier this week, as well as the interception of two unmanned drones on Monday.
“Our homeland is not participating in any military operation,” President Nikos Christodoulides said, adding that Cyprus remains committed to acting as part of the solution and to providing humanitarian support where possible.
Cypriots abroad have been urged to continue registering on the Connect2CY platform and to rely solely on official information, as further repatriation flights are expected to follow depending on security developments and airspace availability.
Furthermore, Cypriots who are leaving Middle Eastern countries are informed that, in the event of a stopover in Athens, they may contact the Cypriot embassy in Greece on +30 210 3734800 for any assistance.