The market is showing resilience, according to Hermes Airports Senior Director for Aviation Development, Marketing and Communications Maria Kouroupi, speaking on Show me the money on Politis 107.6 and 97.6.
Despite the disruption caused by the crisis in March, signs of recovery in Cyprus’ air connectivity are now visible, with flight load factors improving and bookings performing better than initially expected. At the same time, new destinations and an expanded flight programme from airlines are fuelling cautious optimism for the course of the season.
"We are seeing a reduction of around 5% in seat availability for the summer period. However, compared with April and March, May showed much improved load factors and much better final results," Ms Kouroupi said.
New routes
Among the positive developments this year is Cyprus’ new connection with Kazakhstan through the Astana route, which Ms Kouroupi described as particularly important for the country’s strategy of expanding its aviation map.
"Even though it is a summer route, for the first time we are reaching that far into Asia. In essence, it is the first major long-distance flight we have secured towards the East," she said, expressing hope that the route will perform well enough to continue beyond the summer season.
The strengthening of Wizz Air’s flight programme is also viewed positively. The airline is restoring frequencies earlier than originally planned and launching a new connection with Madrid.
Wizz Air has announced that it is adding an extra 57,500 seats in August and September compared with its original schedule, of which 24,500 will be added in August and 33,000 in September. The extra capacity will be allocated to routes with particularly strong demand, including Athens, Barcelona, Bucharest, Tel Aviv, Kutaisi and Iași. Among the most significant changes is the earlier-than-planned return of the Larnaca–Athens route.
"The announcement on restoring frequencies, as well as the new route to Madrid, are very positive developments. In fact, Madrid is the second Spanish route Cyprus is gaining," Ms Kouroupi said, adding that the new service will begin during a lower-demand period, from September 2026, which "shows that there is a market on which we can build." The experience of the direct Larnaca–Barcelona route suggests that demand can be generated from Spain to Cyprus.
The Spanish connection is particularly significant because, as she explained, Spain had long been a difficult market for Cypriot tourism, much like Italy, which is now showing notable momentum.
‘Italy has entered Cyprus’ ten most important markets this year,’ she said, attributing the shift both to changing travel trends and to more targeted efforts to promote the country. ‘Travellers are looking for something different, something new, and Cyprus is trying to show more clearly what it can offer.’
Demand proves more resilient
At the same time, however, the March crisis has left its mark mainly on seat availability. As noted, available airline seats for the summer season are down by around 5%.
"Airlines have already scheduled their aircraft elsewhere, so it is difficult for them to restore flights during the summer," Ms Kouroupi said. However, the positive point is that ‘routes have not been lost, but weekly frequencies have mainly been reduced."
Despite the fall in available seats, developments in demand are viewed as encouraging. She said May closed with a 4% decline in passenger traffic, a result significantly better than the initial forecasts, while load factors have already returned to last year’s levels.
"The improvement we are seeing now reflects a much better demand picture," she said.
The picture differs by airport. Paphos recorded a 10% increase in passenger traffic in May, a development largely linked to the return of the Israeli market, while Larnaca continues to show a decline of around 11%. Overall, passenger traffic for the first five months of the year is down by about 5%.
As for 2027, the signs are more positive. "The intention of the airlines that have reduced flights is to restore them from next summer, provided there is no serious setback," Ms Kouroupi said.
Despite the difficulties, she said the current period also presents opportunities, particularly in efforts to extend the tourist season. "Now is the opportunity to push the season more actively towards the end of the year," she said.
