RAF Akrotiri

***GATEWAY HOUSE IS NOW COMPLETLY CLOSED DUE TO REFURBISHMENT AND THEREFORE NOT AVAILABLE FOR PASSENGERS TO PRE-POSTION BEFORE THEIR FLIGHT OR USE ON ARRIVAL TO RAF BRIZE NORTON – ALL PASSENGERS ARE ADVISED TO SEEK ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WHERE POSSIBLE AND AS LAST RESORT SEEK A NON-AVAILABILTY CHIT FROM THEIR TRAVEL CELL TO BOOK ALTERNATE ACCOMMODATION.

REFURBISHMENT IS EXPECTD TO BE COMPLETED LATE 2024.

 

Latest information

***Cyprus Air Transport Update***

All flights between RAF Brize Norton and RAF Akrotiri are being prioritised for operational reasons. Passengers that are removed from their flight will be notified by the JBC or DPRC at the earliest opportunity using their provided contact details. Passengers that are removed from their flights will be offered the next available flight and are to engage with their CoC. If operationally essential their CoC are advised to request Civ Air Flights via J8 or contact the JBC.

As the Gateway is currently closed, passengers may report to or contact their respective mess and request accommodation. If accommodation is unavailable, they will be a non-avail chit to arrange alternative accommodation.

please be aware that concessionary travel is unlikely to be accepted at this time. it is also the individuals responsibility to arrange alternate transport and accommodation if they are removed,

RAF Brize Norton Terminal: 01993842551

Duty Officer: 0789685390

Orderly Officer: 07811044660

Officers Mess: 01993897147

WOs & Sgt Mess: 01993896030

Junior Ranks Mess: Duty Officer/ Orderly Officer.

 

Flight timings can change at short notice due to unforeseen operational reasons. Changes to flight times, significant delays, and cancellations are published above.

Passengers are advised to contact the Air Terminal on 00357 2527 6599 before starting their journey. You must have your Itinerary Confirmation Number to hand.

Schedule

The usual weekly schedule is:

RAF Brize Norton to Akrotiri - Tuesday and Saturdays.

Akrotiri to RAF Brize Norton - Wednesday and Sundays.

Flight bookings

Service personnel, Civil Servant, and dependants assigned to Cyprus are to book flights through the DSCOM (Defence Supply Chain Operations and Movements) Families Section. 

For other duty (including courses, postings, detachments, medical appointments) and concessionary flights, the primary means of booking seats on the Cyprus Air Trooping Service (CATS), is through the Joint Booking Centre site on the RAF Akrotiri MODNET SharePoint. 

Passengers should complete a duty or concessionary flight application (from MODNET) and submit to the JBC online. (Select the Flight Application Link on the Joint Booking Centre MODNET page to access the British Forces Cyprus page with links to the application process and instructions.)

Once processed, passengers booking a duty flight will receive a Flight Itinerary Confirmation Number. Passengers are reminded to check that all information on the itinerary is correct and up to date. Passengers that do not have access to MODNET should contact the JBC for advice.

If you do not receive your confirmation within 48 hours of booking, call the Joint Booking Centre on (number below). For out of hours, please call the Terminal on 00357 2527 6599.

Any issues with this should be directed to the Joint Booking Centre. 

Opening times: Monday to Thursday, 0800 to 1600 (local time), and Friday, 0800 to 1300 (local time)

If you have to rearrange your flight or cancel it in total, please ensure you inform JBC at the earliest opportunity so your seat can be used by someone else.

Itinerary Confirmation Number

All passengers should receive a Itinerary Confirmation Number All the information regarding flight itinerary and baggage allowance will be quoted on the PIT (Passenger Itinerary).

Please contact your booking office if you have not been informed of your baggage allowance or latest reporting time (the latest reporting time is the time that check in closes unless advised differently). 

Concessionary travel

Service personnel, MOD civil servants, and their immediate family (spouses and dependent children) are entitled to concessionary travel.

Those applying for concessionary travel are reminded that this is offered to entitled passengers on a space available basis. Bookings cannot be guaranteed until all duty passengers have checked in.

• Concessionary travel from RAF Akrotiri to RAF Brize Norton is currently €50
• Concessionary travel from RAF Brize Norton to RAF Akrotiri is £40
• Children under two years old travel for free

Rates can change, so always check the current rate.

Please pay by cash (Euros). Debit/credit card payments are also accepted, but these take longer to process.

Apply for concessionary travel

Complete the online Concessionary Application form on Sharepoint (only accessible with a MODNET computer).

Note: the RAF FORM 2768/IND (Rev 10/10) is no longer accepted. Applications on this form will be rejected.

Please follow these points to ensure you correctly complete the form and avoid delays:  

• Personnel can only apply for themselves and their dependents
• Submit more than one application if the journey and passenger details differ, i.e. two passengers outbound, but only one passenger returning
• Ensure you enter a departure and arrival airport
• Check you have completed all fields in the form
• Enter your Unit address (to confirm the Z code), not your personal / home address
• Applications must be authorised by a Warrant Officer or above. Only OF-3 and above can self-authorise
• ALL Non BFC Based personnel require an On Island Sponsor and in addition to the F2768, they must complete the interim Non BFC Based Personnel Sponsor Form (PSA). This form remains until the updated F2768 is published.

Amendments or cancellations

Please confirm any changes to an application in writing to this email: [email protected]

What happens next

Although we accept bookings three months in advance, they are held on file until the flights become available on the booking system. This means that after your application has been received the next time you will hear from the JBC will be to receive your itinerary confirmation.

Please only contact the JBC to chase your booking if you have not received confirmation three weeks before your flight date.

You will only be booked to one flight. Please do not apply for a range of dates.

If you are not called forward for your requested flight and wish to try an alternative date, you will need to email your request to the multiuser - [email protected]

Chances of a successful concessionary travel application

Duty flights are booked up until the date of travel. This makes it impossible to predict the probability of a successful concessionary travel application in advance.

Concessionary travel applicants must contact the RAF Akrotiri Air Terminal +357 2527 6599 the last working day before travel to confirm if they have been successfully called forward.

Prioritising of concessionary applications

If a flight is busy and a priority list required, it is based purely on the Date of Joining (when the application was submitted) and the Z code (priority category). No other information will affect the priority of your booking. 

• Z1/2 - Compassionate 
• Z4 - BFC based personnel
• Z6 - Sports, Exped/AT
• Z7 - UK based personnel

Passports and visas

All passengers must carry a full and valid passport. Passports must have a minimum of 6 months life left to gain entry to Cyprus. The actual expiration date is worked out from the date of issue not from the date of expiry. E.g. if a passport is issued 01 AUG 2020 and expires 01 OCT 2030 the actual expiry date will be 6 months prior to 01 AUG 2030 (01 FEB 2030) NOT 6 months before the stated expiry date. This is due to passports having an absolute maximum of 10 years from the date of issue.

Passports issued in a different name to the flight booking will need the passenger to provide evidence of the name difference. For example a marriage certificate or deed poll certificate.

Operational, exercise and unit moves:

Guidance on travel documentation requirements should be contained within movement directives, instructions or orders.

 

Flying from RAF Akrotiri

Allow sufficient travelling time to RAF Akrotiri for any problems that may occur en-route.

Passengers should allow extra time for processing through the main gate security control.

Passengers will need either an ID Card or a Visitors pass in order to access the station 

Parking

Passengers can park in the Air Terminal's long stay carpark whilst in the UK.

Please fill out a parking ticket at the Terminal office, and leave the ticket on your dashboard.

Checking in

Check In closes 3 hours before the aircraft is due to depart and usually open from 5 hours before departure.

This allows for the completion of all mandatory documentation, including accurate passenger numbers and baggage weights.

Timings do change for operational reasons and passengers should check the flight schedule (above) 24 hours before travelling and again 5 hours before the scheduled departure.

We will not check in passengers unless they report to the Air Terminal in person. This includes family members and children.

All passengers must arrive prior to the flight check closing time published above. You will be refused travel if you fail to check in for your flight by the latest check in time.

Pregnancy and passengers with existing medical conditions

Pregnancy and passengers with an existing medical condition may be refused travel when they report for a flight if they don’t have a fit to fly certificate from a medical practitioner. Pregnant women require a doctors letter when travelling between the 28th and 36th week pregnancy.

What to do if delayed

Phone the Air Movements Staff as soon as possible if you are delayed to the Air Terminal for any reason: 00357 2527 6599.

Early check in

The additional check-in period will be available for all Passengers from Akrotiri and Episkopi that are travelling on the AKT – BZZ leg of the CATS please see see timings on the Departure timing table.

There will be NO accommodation available on RAF Akrotiri if personnel check-in the night before the flight.

Passengers requiring to drop-off pushchairs, car seats etc can have them weighed with the rest of their baggage the night before and then take them away, if required. They can then be dropped off for loading at the START of the allotted Board Through time the next day.

Weapons will NOT be accepted the night before the Trooper flight. Any passengers that need to check weapons in are to declare this at the time of check-in so it can be added to their overall baggage allowance. Personnel will be required to drop off their weapons the day of the flight and will report to the Air Terminal by the START of the allotted Board Through time to sign their weapons over to the ATLO Staff to be loaded onto the flight.

Baggage

Personal belongings that include engineering equipment, household goods such as TV’s, desktop PCs and outsized items are not permitted and must be shipped as concessionary freight.

Only Accompanied Air Baggage is permitted. Accompanied Air Baggage is defined as suitcases and bags holding a passenger’s personal belongings limited to items such as clothing, footwear, toiletries, books and personal portable electronic devices such as iPods, hand held game consoles and laptop computers.

A passenger’s personal belongings that include engineering equipment, household goods such as TVs, desktop PCs and outsized items are not permitted and must be shipped as concessionary freight.

Baggage allowances

Your baggage allowance is shown on your booking confirmation. It varies based on the purpose of your travel.

Baggage allowance is limited at 20kgs for concessionary passengers (including sports equipment and bikes).

Hold baggage

• Max. weight: 28kgs per bag / item
• Must not exceed dimensions: 100cm X 60cm X 45cm

Cabin (hand) baggage

Hand baggage Dimensions are: Max weight 9kgs, Height 56cm, Width 45cm, Depth 20cm due to the overhead storage limitations.

Hand luggage restrictions:

- One item of hand luggage per person, weight limit 9kg.

- Liquids must be in containers no larger than 100ml each, packed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag. One bag is permitted per person.

- Hand luggage dimensions must not exceed 56cm (L), 45cm (W) and 25cm

- Pushchairs. If you require to travel with a pushchair, please inform the Joint Booking Cell (JBC) during booking.

- Alcohol is forbidden within hand luggage, any alcohol will be confiscated by ATSY at security. Consumption of Alcohol within the Air Terminal is forbidden and will result in the individual being removed from the flight.

Bikes and sports equipment

To enable sports teams and individuals to travel with their equipment conditions apply as detailed in JSP 800, Volume 2, Part 2, Chapter 6, Paragraph 5.

You need prior authorisation to travel with a bike. Authorisation is granted by the Joint Booking Centre at the time of flight booking and added as a remark on your booking confirmation.

If authorisation is granted it will be deducted from your overall baggage allowance / entitlement.

Bikes must be well packed in a bike box or bag as there is no liability for any damage caused.

If space on the flight becomes critical the bike will be offloaded first and the passenger will be responsible for making arrangements for the bike's removal from RAF Akrotiri's Air Terminal.

Dress state.

Passengers are allowed to travel in civilian clothing. These are to be smart, clean, in good repair, and of a standard that does not reflect badly upon the MOD. The following items of clothing are not considered suitable for travel by air; beachwear of any kind, high or stiletto heeled footwear, sports vests, untailored or sports shorts or any item bearing offensive slogans. Personnel arriving at an airhead inappropriately dressed will be required to change before checking in.

Accommodation.

It is the lead passenger’s responsibility to arrange their own accommodation.

 Exemptions.

Requests for non-entitled personnel to fly on the CATS are viewed on a case-by-case basis. All requests are to be submitted to the Cyprus Movements Authority Holders as directed by JBC.

Alcohol 

Consumption of alcohol prior to arrival at the terminal is prohibited for passengers travelling on duty. Passengers flying concessionary may consume alcohol but will be denied boarding if intoxicated and may face administrative or disciplinary action. No alcohol is to be consumed during the flight and duty free is to reflect the current AKT policy. 

Duty free allowance

Customs guidance is available at  SBA Customs or phone the SBA Customs Office, Akrotiri: 00 357 2527 6762.

Drinking water

You can take water through security in sealable containers.

Passengers are advised to bring their own water to check in as you may be required to queue outside for a short time.

Once you have passed through security, there is free water available in the Departure Lounge.

Laptops, power banks, and electrical products

You will not need to take out electrical products (including laptops and tablets) from your carry-on baggage for security checks.

However, service laptops will need to be removed and presented to the security staff with the appropriate paperwork.

Power banks are only permitted if carried on your person. They cannot be packed in hold baggage for safety reasons, and it must not be more than 100 w/h on the watt hour rating.

E-cigarettes and vaping products

E-cigarettes and vaping pens are only permitted if carried on your person. They cannot be packed in hold baggage.

It is forbidden to use e-cigarettes and vaping products on board the aircraft.

Travelling children

Child seats

Infants under the age of 2 years can sit in a child seat or on an adult's lap using a seat belt extension provided by the aircraft crew.

Children between the ages of 2 to 3 years can sit in a child seat or directly on the aircraft seat.

All child seats are provided by the passenger. The Terminal does not hold any child seats to loan.

Child seats must fit between the plane seats arm rests (max width 42.5cm) and be securable using the seat lap belt.

Child seats that require a three point harness or a rigid anchorage will not be permitted in the aircraft cabin and must be carried in the hold.

Push chairs

Push chairs must be checked in with other hold baggage. Please make Check In staff aware that you have a push chair.

They can loan you a push chair that can be left at the aircraft steps before departure. Please inform the Movement’s staff if you do this.

Travelling with a child with a different family name

Parents and guardians are required to carry a copy of the birth or adoption certificate as evidence of the relationship.

As per JSP 800 Vol 2

"Differing surnames between parent and child. As per UK Border Force direction and to ensure continued safeguarding of minors, if the authorising parent or guardian's surname differs to that of the child, a copy of either the adoption certificate or birth certificate is also to be carried with the escorted minor"

Without such evidence, the immigration officer may need to talk to the parents or guardians and children, depending on their age, to confirm the relationship.

The GOV.UK website has the latest guidance on getting permission to take a child abroad.

Air Terminal facilities 

These are available for passengers in the Departure Lounges:

• Coffee shop selling hot drinks, cold snacks and duty free items
• Outside terrace
• Toilets
• Use of telephone if required in an emergency
• Drinks vending machines
• Water fountain
• Children's play area, soft play area, and TV for kids films.
• Baby changing facilities
• Comfortable breast feeding area
• BFBS TV, PlayStation consoles and games
• Book library and quiet area
• Free WiFi