British military air base on the island of Cyprus.
Opened
1956
Location
Akrotiri, Cyprus
RAF Akrotiri is a Royal Air Force station located on the Akrotiri Peninsula in the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Cyprus. It serves as the UK's primary military air base in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region, supporting a wide range of operational and strategic missions.
The base has been operationally significant since the Cold War era and has been used in numerous conflicts and humanitarian operations, including operations over Iraq, Libya, and Syria. It also hosts the Near East Air Force headquarters element and supports NATO and coalition partners.
The airfield is restricted to military and authorized government aircraft. Civilian access is highly limited, and the base is not used for scheduled commercial passenger services.
Airlines here
No commercial airlines operate from RAF Akrotiri; the base is used exclusively by the Royal Air Force and allied military operators.
Notable facts
- ›RAF Akrotiri is located within the British Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, a British Overseas Territory.
- ›The base has been used to support operations including Op Shader, the UK's contribution to coalition operations against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
- ›It is one of the UK's most strategically important overseas military installations due to its position in the Eastern Mediterranean.
- ›The airfield has a single primary runway capable of accommodating large military transport and strike aircraft.
- ›RAF Akrotiri played a key role during the 2011 Libya intervention, operating Tornado GR4 and Typhoon aircraft.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
