US air force looks to upgrade Cyprus airbase as humanitarian staging post for the Middle East

Experts from the US air force are assessing upgrades to Cyprus' Andreas Papandreou air base for future humanitarian operations in the Middle East. The upgrades will focus on improving air traffic safety, expanding the base, and enhancing its capacity for military and civilian aircraft. Cyprus has previously served as a transit point for evacuations and aid, and any use of the base by foreign forces will require government approval. The US and Cyprus have strengthened military cooperation in recent years.