Should you still book a holiday to Cyprus as latest travel advice issued
Many people planning trips to Cyprus in the coming months feel uneasy, even though the UK Foreign Office still lists Cyprus as ‘Safe to Travel’.Cyprus, located south of Turkey and west of Syria, has been a favourite holiday destination for people from the UK for many years.But because Cyprus is close to the Middle East conflict, some travellers are feeling nervous. Things got worse when an Iranian drone hit the RAF Akrotiri base on the island, which led to many flights being cancelled or delayed.Hotels in Cyprus say they are seeing fewer bookings because of cancellations linked to the ongoing conflict.Nick Aristou, the commercial director of Muskita Hotels, which owns three hotels in Cyprus, has been one of the first to raise concerns about cancellations.Nick said this week, eight days after the conflict began, that they have had about 200 cancellations in the past week.“Most of the cancellations, I would say about 90 per cent, are all for March, about 10 per cent for April,” he told the i newspaper.So, should you cancel your holiday to Cyprus? Here’s what you need to know. For the latest travel updates, follow our senior travel reporter, Portia Jones, on TikTok.Check the Foreign Office guidanceBefore you do anything, check the current travel advisories for your destination.Although there is currently no advice against travel to Cyprus, the FCDO has warned of a “heightened risk of regional tension” and possible escalation, which could lead to travel disruption and “other unanticipated impacts”.British nationals are urged to follow all official guidance and to sign up for FCDO Travel Advice email alerts for the latest updates.As this is an ongoing situation, travel advice can change suddenly, so keep checking the FCDO advice before you depart.Despite a few cancelled flights and the closure of some British schools, life on the island is back to normal, so your holiday should still go ahead.Check your flight statusAirlines are still changing routes and schedules because of ongoing instability in the region. Several carriers, including easyJet and Tui, have suspended or postponed some flights.Airport authorities recommend that passengers travelling soon check with their airline or travel agent before heading to the airport, since flight schedules can change with little warning.Cyprus has become an important transit point for travel between Europe and the Middle East.As a result, changes in the region can quickly affect the island’s two main airports. With tensions still high, more disruptions could happen in the next few days.If you are thinking about cancelling or changing your flight dates, check your airline’s terms and conditions. You might have to pay a cancellation fee.Right now, travellers are advised not to cancel their flights because of the conflict in the Middle East. Check with your airline first before you do anything.If travellers cancel their ticket themselves rather than the airline, they may lose some consumer rights and may not be able to claim refunds.When delays and cancellations happen, airlines should keep passengers informed and provide food and accommodation (if the delay necessitates an overnight stay).According to the UK’s Citizens Advice website, if your flight is covered under UK law, your airline must let you decide between a refund, or an alternative flight to your destination.If you still want to travel, your airline must arrange an alternative flight for you, even if it’s with a different airline.If a flight delay means you have to stay overnight, the airline must arrange and pay for your accommodation, including transport to and from the hotel.If you have booked a package holiday to CyprusIn the UK, travel companies that sell flight-inclusive packages to customers must protect customers' money through the ATOL scheme. So if your holiday is cancelled or disrupted, you have rights.ABTA also provides financial protection for UK consumers who book holidays through ABTA members. This protection ensures that consumers receive refunds or assistance if their travel company goes out of business.Package holidays and agency bookings can offer travellers extra reassurance and customer service."Booking through a professional agent gives you the peace of mind that you are protected in the event of any changes to your travel," says Sarah Davies, a travel advisor from Life Begins with Travel."Even if just to have someone on the end of the phone to guide you through the process.”Davies explains that many online travel companies aren't ABTA members, so it's important to ensure you choose a company with both ABTA and ATOL protection "so you don't end up out of pocket and that you're well looked after."However, if you decide to cancel or delay your holiday, you might have to pay a cancellation fee, depending on your provider’s terms and conditions.Contact your holiday provider before cancelling to find out what you’re entitled to and whether you can rebook.Be aware that travel disruption could happenWith ongoing travel issues, it’s important to stay flexible. Flights can still be cancelled or delayed, even in popular places like Cyprus.Most international travel is still operating, but there are risks such as sudden travel warnings, airspace closures, and flight disruptions. This is especially true for places like Cyprus, which has military bases that could be targeted.Make sure you have enough money in case of delays, and get strong travel insurance. Read your policy carefully so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered.Look for a policy that covers travel disruptions. This can help if government travel advice changes and you can’t get your money back from other sources. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter hereCheck your travel insuranceRhys Jones, travel insurance expert at Go.Compare Travel says: “If you're travelling anywhere near areas that have been affected by the air strikes, your first port of call should be the FCDO, which will give travel advice to those currently staying or heading to those destinations."Jones adds, “If the FCDO states that you should not travel to the affected areas, then you will NOT be covered by your travel insurance if you don’t heed the advice and travel there regardless.Right now, Cyprus is considered a safe destination, so your travel insurance should still be valid. Keep checking the FCDO for updates.You might not get compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelledAirline compensation depends on several factors. A spokesperson from Ski Vertigo explains: "A lot of people assume any cancellation means automatic compensation, but that's not how it works.If airspace is shut down for security reasons, that counts as an extraordinary circumstance, and the airline doesn't have to pay the fixed amount.What they do still owe you is care, meals, a hotel if you're stuck overnight, and either a full refund or rebooking on the next available flight."Claims can also include expenses such as meals, accommodation, and transport if the airline fails to provide them at the time, which means the total value of a successful claim can add up quickly when a family is involved.The tricky part for travellers is working out which cancellations qualify. If an airline cancels your flight due to a staffing issue or a mechanical fault, you're likely entitled to the full fixed compensation. Strikes by the airline's own staff, such as pilots or cabin crew, are the airline's responsibility and do not constitute extraordinary circumstances.Even if you are not entitled to compensation, you still have rights. Airlines must offer you a refund or an alternative flight, and provide meals and accommodation if needed. If you are left without food or accommodation, you can claim those costs back. Keep all your receipts.
