NICOSIA/Xinhua
Hundreds of foreigners arrived by sea and air in Cyprus from Lebanon after submitting evacuation requests provided for in this country’s “Estia” plan, and many more are expected to arrive by air in the coming days, Cypriot authorities said this Friday. .
Foreign Ministry spokesman Theodoros Gotsis told the official Cyprus News Agency that five countries have requested “assisted departure” of their citizens to Lebanon. For example, Portugal has requested help to evacuate 44 European Union (EU) nationals.
Officials responsible for the “Estia” plan said they are prepared for up to 100,000 people, who may ultimately need to be evacuated.
Authorities at a marina near the popular tourist site Ayia Napa said up to five luxury yachts are arriving daily from Beirut with around 20 people on each boat.
Evacuees have to pay a high price for the ten-hour journey from Lebanon to Cyprus. Gotsis said Australia has also requested assistance to evacuate about 500 people with Australian citizenship and more evacuation flights are expected.
Two Qantas planes are expected to ferry Australian nationals from Beirut to Cyprus on Saturday, who will then depart for Sydney on Monday and Wednesday. Another rescue flight for Cypriot nationals, operated by Middle East Airlines, is expected to arrive in Larnaca tonight. On Thursday, a Greek military transport plane brought back 38 Cypriots and 22 Greeks. Middle East Airlines operates two daily scheduled flights from Beirut to Larnaca and Cyprus Airways operates another flight.
Both airlines said they have sold all seats for the next two weeks. Israeli airlines, such as El Al, Israir and Arkia, operate around ten flights daily from Tel Aviv to Larnaca.
Occupancy on all Israeli flights has been reported to be over 90 percent and the majority of passengers are Israeli citizens.
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