Larnaka Airport resumed its operation, after being temporarily closed due to a hijacking incident that took place earlier today.
Passengers are at the departure areas proceeding with the necessary check in procedures, while Ambassadors of various countries arrived at the Larnaka airport speaking with passengers at the departure lounges.
Meanwhile, earlier today, Hermes Airports, operator of the two international airports of the Republic of Cyprus, issued a press release in which it stated that it had been in continuous contact and cooperation with the relevant authorities of the Cyprus Government in dealing with the incident involving an Egypt Air aircraft.
Following a decision by the relevant Government Authorities, the operations of Larnaka International Airport had been temporarily suspended.
`Since this morning all the relevant actions have been taken to deal with the situation and the return of the airport to normal operations as soon as possible` it was noted.
Around eight flights had been diverted to Pafos, two flights to other airports outside Cyprus and four were cancelled.
Hermes Airports has made arrangements so that there is a continuous update of the flight schedule on the Hermes Airports Website www.hermesairports.com.
The hijacker of Egyptair flight MS181, which landed at Larnaca Airport, has surrendered himself to the Police.
He disembarked the plane at around 1440 local time with his hands up and threw some items on the ground, which were picked up by the Police and are being examined.
President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades has congratulated all involved services for the termination of the hijacking of an Egyptair plane, which landed at Larnaca Airport, and the arrest of the hijacker.
All passengers and crew are safe. The incident was not an act of terrorism.
The Ambassador of Egypt in Nicosia Hussein Abdelkarim Tantawy Mubarak confirmed the full coordination and cooperation he had with the Cypriot authorities and thanked them for successfully bringing the incident to an end.
