Flights above a popular tourist island for British travelers in the Mediterranean were delayed due to the presence of a suspicious object. Authorities in Cyprus made the decision as a precautionary measure following sightings of the object in the airspace near Lebanon amidst ongoing conflicts in the Middle East since the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The delay occurred after a drone attack on RAF Akrotiri, prompting the UK government to enhance security by deploying HMS Dragon to the island. Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis confirmed the detection of a possible suspicious object near Lebanon and reassured that necessary measures were taken to investigate the situation with updates to follow.
Two flights were asked to hold position temporarily, with one flight opting to return to Athens. The spokesperson clarified that the Republic of Cyprus airspace remained open throughout, and operations continued without disruption. Additionally, Paphos International Airport was evacuated promptly following the detection of an unidentified drone in a restricted area.
The drone incident at Akrotiri coincided with an announcement by Sir Keir Starmer regarding the use of British bases by American forces to target Iranian missile sites in response to Tehran’s actions across the region. The UK’s commitment to Cyprus’s security was reiterated with the dispatch of HMS Dragon and two Wildcat helicopters equipped with Martlet missiles to counter potential drone threats.
Government sources dismissed claims of HMS Dragon being in maintenance, emphasizing its readiness for deployment. Sir Keir Starmer affirmed the UK’s dedication to safeguarding British military personnel in Cyprus and maintaining defensive operations in partnership with allies.
