Missile strike warning could hit flights to the Eastern Med
Airlines flying in the Eastern Mediterranean have been placed on high alert due to the possibility of a US-led airstrike on Syria.
The European Aviation Security Agency (EASA) has warned pilots of possible cruise missile attacks within the next 72 hours.
A Rapid Alert Notification has been issued for the Eastern Mediterranean/Nicosia flight information region, which covers flights south of eastern Turkey, including those to and from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel and Lebanon as well as Syria.
The alert stated: "Due to the possible launch of air strikes into Syria with air-to-ground and/or cruise missiles within the next 72 hours, and the possibility of intermittent disruption of radio navigation equipment, due consideration needs to be taken when planning flight operations in the Eastern Mediterranean/Nicosia FIR area."
US president Donald Trump has threatened a ‘forceful’ response to an alleged gas attack in Syria, but he has not given a time-frame for any retaliatory action.
The US is understood to be looking to the UK and France for support as it finalises its response to the Syrian regime’s assault on the rebel-held town of Douma.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May has said Britain would need more evidence of the alleged gas attack before joining any military action against Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad.
The UK has around two dozen flights to Cyprus today, including a twice daily British Airways’ service from Heathrow to Larnaca and a daily flight from Gatwick to Paphos and flights from easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and Thomas Cook.
In 2014, Malaysian Airlines’ passenger flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine by a Russian surface-to-air missile.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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