Nicosia, Cyprus. Air traffic at Larnaca and Paphos airports rose 16% in the November-January winter period compared with the same months a year earlier, Hermes Airports said. The increase was attributed to expanded connectivity and new airline agreements.
Air traffic growth and connectivity
Hermes Airports’ Director of Aviation Development, Marketing and Communication Maria Kouroupi told the Cyprus News Agency that connectivity is “on an upward trajectory this winter period as well”. She said the increase reflected coordinated efforts across the tourism sector and agreements with key airlines enabling year-round routes.
Larnaca Airport routes and new markets
Kouroupi said 30 airlines operated flights from Larnaca Airport to 54 destinations in 33 countries during the winter season. She said four new markets were added: Spain, Belgium, Slovakia and North Macedonia. Ten destinations appeared for the first time in winter: Barcelona, Brussels, Bratislava, Skopje, Venice, Heraklion, Timisoara, Suceava, Cluj and Gyumri.
Paphos Airport destinations
For Paphos Airport, Kouroupi said eight airlines operated flights to 35 destinations in 17 countries. She added that the Paphos-Amman route was reinstated and that Dusseldorf and Haifa were introduced as new destinations.
Middle East tensions and regional disruptions
Asked about possible effects from tensions in the Middle East, Kouroupi said the tourism sector is sensitive to geopolitical developments and travel flows could be affected. She said that “at this stage, there is no apparent impact on air traffic to Cyprus”.
She said disturbances in the wider region may alter airline flight planning, as companies may be required to avoid certain airspace, potentially increasing flight time or leading to refuelling stops in Cyprus. She added that Cyprus airports have repeatedly functioned as “bridges of peace”, serving repatriation needs during regional crises through additional flights and arrangements.
How do you expect new winter routes to affect travel options to and from Cyprus?
