Cyprus repatriates 1,181 from Middle East after latest Dubai flight
A repatriation flight from Dubai carrying 149 passengers arrived in Cyprus on Wednesday night, bringing the total number of people evacuated from the Middle East to 1,181 as the government completed a series of emergency charter flights organised in response to the regional conflict.
The foreign ministry said the Cyprus Airways flight marked the conclusion of the current schedule of repatriation operations coordinated over the past week through the ministry’s national crisis management centre and Cyprus’ diplomatic missions abroad.
According to the ministry, eight chartered flights were arranged during the operation, returning a total of 1,181 people from areas affected by the escalating crisis.
Those repatriated include Cypriot citizens, permanent residents and citizens of other EU member states who sought safe passage from the region.
“Over the past week the national crisis management centre, in cooperation with diplomatic missions, coordinated eight chartered flights with 1,181 people who departed from the crisis area,” the ministry said in a statement.
Authorities added that assistance would continue to be provided to Cypriots who remain in the region and may still require support to return home.
“The ministry and diplomatic missions will continue to provide assistance to Cyprus citizens remaining in the area,” the statement said.
The arrival of the flight from Dubai follows several earlier repatriation operations carried out since the conflict intensified across the Middle East.
On Tuesday, another aircraft carrying 82 passengers arrived at Larnaca airport after departing from King Fahd airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Passengers on that flight included those who had been stranded in countries across the region, including Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
The repatriation effort forms part of the government’s broader response to the conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran, which has disrupted regional airspace and commercial flight schedules.
Cyprus maintains a sizeable expatriate presence across the Gulf region, particularly in the United Arab Emirates, where thousands of Cypriot nationals live and work.
In the days following the outbreak of hostilities, more than 2,000 Cypriots registered through the Connect2CY system in the UAE alone, though officials believe the total number of Cypriot nationals there may be higher.
While the current charter flight programme has concluded, authorities said consular assistance remains active for all Cypriots still located in affected areas should further support or evacuation arrangements be required.