Hundreds return home as Cyprus facilitates mass repatriation efforts with flights, sea evacuations, and cross-border convoys
As regional instability intensifies across the Middle East, repatriation efforts from Cyprus have accelerated to bring citizens and foreign nationals safely home from crisis zones in Israel and Iran. These operations- involving military aircraft, chartered flights, and cruise ships- form part of a wider coordinated humanitarian response as the security situation continues to deteriorate.
Israeli repatriation efforts from Cyprus begin
On Wednesday morning, the first of 13 scheduled repatriation flights began to depart from Cyprus, returning Israeli citizens stranded on the island to their homeland. According to Hermes Airports, more than 1,000 individuals are expected to be repatriated over the coming days, depending on instructions from the Israeli government, which is still actively evaluating the evolving crisis.
Additionally, a cruise ship docked in Larnaca on Wednesday carrying approximately 1,500 foreign nationals evacuated from Haifa. The ship- Crown Iris– is now part of the “Safe Return” operation and is scheduled to dock in Limassol on Thursday to collect over 1,600 Israelis in Cyprus who wish to return home. A second round-trip may follow later in the week, with the potential for a larger vessel to be deployed if needed.
These combined sea and air efforts underscore the importance of Cyprus as a humanitarian hub for repatriation efforts from the region, especially during times of geopolitical tension.
This morning, an El Al flight from Larnaca, Cyprus touched down at Ben Gurion International Airport—the airline’s first landing since the conflict with Iran began last Friday. The flight is part of Operation Safe Return, launched by the Israeli Transport Ministry to bring home… pic.twitter.com/oWHwjZLDXC
— TeaBisCafe (@TeaBisCafe) June 18, 2025
Joint operations with Greece and European allies
The Cypriot government has also played a role in joint operations coordinated by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On Wednesday, 105 Greek citizens and their families- along with Cypriots and other foreign nationals- were safely evacuated from Israel via Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. They were flown to Athens aboard Greek military aircraft (C-130 and C-27), in an operation supported by embassies and consulates in Tel Aviv, Cairo, and Jerusalem.
This same flight helped repatriate citizens from Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Georgia, Switzerland, the USA, Italy, Cyprus, Lithuania, Hungary, Portugal, Romania, and Sweden. These international efforts highlight both the logistical complexity and the spirit of collaboration underpinning current repatriation operations.
Cypriot citizens rescued from Israel and Iran
Cyprus’ own repatriation efforts have focused on rescuing its citizens from both Israel and Iran. Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos confirmed on Wednesday that 17 Cypriots had recently been moved from Israel and five from Iran to safer locations for onward transport. Among these, some have already returned to Cyprus, while others are currently in transit through third countries.
A group of ten citizens who crossed from Israel into Egypt by land were transferred to Greece on a Greek military flight and are expected to return to Cyprus via Athens. Separately, three citizens were flown from Jordan to Larnaca by the Slovak Air Force under the national emergency evacuation plan “ESTIA”.
Meanwhile, four more Cypriots- two patients and two companions- returned from Israel via air ambulance. As of Wednesday, 53 Cypriots in Israel have requested repatriation, although that number is fluid, with some opting to remain based on how the crisis develops.
The five Cypriots who were in Iran were evacuated by convoy from Tehran early Tuesday and taken to Armenia. They are due to return to Cyprus from Yerevan imminently. Two other citizens remain in Iran in a safer region near the Caspian Sea, while a third individual who missed the initial convoy is being monitored for future extraction.
Cyprus remains on alert as situation unfolds
Speaking to press after a Cabinet meeting, Foreign Minister Kombos confirmed that the government is maintaining close contact with its embassies, air carriers, and international partners to facilitate continued repatriation efforts from Cyprus. “The situation is fluid, but our focus remains on bringing our citizens home safely and offering humanitarian assistance wherever needed,” he said.
He also noted that while no new requests have been received beyond recent operations involving Slovakia and Portugal, Cyprus remains prepared for further assistance calls. Regarding US military transport aircraft currently stationed on the island, Kombos stressed that these are part of a broader American evacuation plan and should not be viewed as signalling any additional message.
With multiple land, air, and sea operations now underway, repatriation efforts from Cyprus are demonstrating the island’s strategic role as a gateway for humanitarian coordination in times of regional upheaval.
Also read: 55 Cypriots request repatriation from Israel and Iran
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