As UK RAF airbase in Cyprus is hit by drone strike, can you still fly there, what has easyJet said?
No casualties were reported after the drone strike at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed there were no casualties after a suspected drone strike targeted RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. A spokesperson said: “Our armed forces are responding to a suspected drone strike at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight local time.
“Our force protection in the region is at the highest level and the base has responded to defend our people.
“This is a live situation and further information will be provided in due course.”
Following the incident, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told Sky News that “This is an unmanned drone strike, specifically on the airport runway and we’re not able to provide further information and detail at this point.
“But obviously all of the precautionary measures are being taken around the base.”
On March 1, Sir Keir Starmer issued a statement which read: “Yesterday, I spoke to you about the situation in the Gulf and explained that the United Kingdom was not involved in the strikes on Iran.
“That remains the case.
“Over the last two days Iran has launched sustained attacks across the region at countries who did not attack them.
“They’ve hit airports and hotels where British citizens are staying.
“This is clearly a dangerous situation.
“We have at least 200,000 British citizens in the region - residents, families on holiday, and those in transit.
“I ask all our people in the region to please register your presence and follow Foreign Office travel advice.
“I know this is a deeply worrying time and we will continue to do all we can to support you.
“Our Armed Forces who are located across the region are also being put at risk by Iran’s actions.
“Yesterday Iran hit a military base in Bahrain, narrowly missing British personnel.
“The death of the Supreme Leader will not stop Iran from launching these strikes.
“Their approach is becoming even more reckless – and more dangerous to civilians.
“Our decision that the UK would not be involved with the strikes on Iran was deliberate.
“Not least because we believe that the best way forward for the region and for the world is a negotiated settlement.
“One in which Iran agrees to give up any aspirations to develop a nuclear weapon.”
“But Iran is striking British interests nonetheless, and putting British people at huge risk, along with our allies across the region.
“That is the situation we face today.
“Our partners in the Gulf have asked us to do more to defend them, and it is my duty to protect British lives.
“We have British jets in the air as part of coordinated defensive operations which have already successfully intercepted Iranian strikes.
“But the only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source – in their storage depots or the launchers which used to fire the missiles.
“The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose.
“We have taken the decision to accept this request – to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region, killing innocent civilians, putting British lives at risk, and hitting countries that have not been involved.
“The basis of our decision is the collective self-defence of longstanding friends and allies, and protecting British lives.
“That is in accordance with international law. And we are publishing a summary of our legal advice.
“We are not joining these strikes, but we will continue with our defensive actions in the region.
“And we will also bring experts from Ukraine together with our own experts to help Gulf partners shoot down Iranian drones attacking them.
“I want to be very clear: we all remember the mistakes of Iraq.
“And we have learned those lessons.
“We were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran and we will not join offensive action now.
“But Iran is pursuing a scorched earth strategy - so we are supporting the collective self-defence of our allies and our people in the region.
“Because that is our duty to the British people.
“It is the best way to eliminate the urgent threat and prevent the situation spiralling further.
“This is the British government protecting British interests and British lives.”
What’s the latest advice on flying to Cyprus from the UK?
The latest travel advice reads: “On 2 March 2026, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed a suspected drone impact at RAF Akrotiri. British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration British Bases Cyprus Facebook British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities.”
easyJet has told The Express that “Due to the events overnight affecting the RAF base in Akrotiri in Cyprus, as a precaution, three return flights between Paphos and Larnaca and the UK today will not be operating."
“Flights from 3 March are currently operating as planned but we would advise customers due to travel to and from Cyprus over the coming days to check our flight tracker for the latest information.
“We are doing all we can to minimise the impact for our customers and are providing options for rebooking including on other airlines or a refund as well as hotel accommodation and meals for those who require them.
“The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority and we continue to closely monitor the security situation in the region."