Cyprus airbase targeted amid Iran response to US-Israel attack

Plans are reportedly being made for the mass evacuation of Britons stuck in the Gulf states following the US-Israeli attack on Iran.

 

Airspace over the region has been shut forcing airlines to ground at least 2,000 flights as retaliatory drone and missile strikes hit indiscriminate civilian targets, including hotels and airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.   

 

The Foreign Office confirmed a suspected drone attack on the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus early today (Monday) and urged Britons on the island to follow any instructions from local authorities.

 

An updated travel advisory for Cyprus said: “There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts.

 

“British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances.”

 

The suggested evacuation option emerged after at least 94,000 Britons in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf nations, including holidaymakers, registered their location and contact details with the Foreign, Commonwelath & Development Office (FCDO).

 

Possible escape routes would be by land to Muscat in Oman or Saudi Arabia where they would be flown back to the UK, according to reports.

 

Travel agents, tour operators, airlines and cruise companies have been working around the clock over the weekend dealing with enquiries from travellers stranded in the region or those with travel plans, including transits via hubs in the UAE.

 

All but essential travel is being advised against to the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain alongside bans on travel to Israel, Palestine and Iran. 

 

Britons in Jordan, Oman, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq have been told to take precuations and keep aware of official travel advice.

 

Emirates has suspended all flights to and from Dubai up until 3pm local time today. Etihad Airways’ services at Abu Dhabi remain grounded until 2pm UAE time, while Qatar Airways said flights to and from Doha remain temporarily suspended.

 

Flights between Europe and Asia are being re-routed with longer journey times to avoid Iranian airspace.

 

British Airways said: “We are closely monitoring the situation and have cancelled a number of our flights to the Middle East. Safety is always our top priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so.

 

“If you are due to fly between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai or Tel Aviv up to and including 15 March you can change your flight date free of charge to travel on or before 29 March.

 

“Customers travelling up to and including 8 March may also request a full refund.”

 

Air India cancelled flights between Birmingham and Amritsar and Dehli today (Monday) as part of a reduction of selected schedules between India and Europe. All of the airline’s flights to and from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Qatar are suspended.

 

The conflict could have wider implications on the travel industry with the prospect of soaring oil prices.