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20 Years Of Hermes Airports: Growth In Passenger Traffic And Connectivity

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 9, 2026

Overview Of A 20-Year Milestone

This year marks 20 years since the Cyprus government awarded Hermes Airports the concession to manage Larnaca and Pafos International Airports. Since taking over operations in 2006, Hermes Airports has overseen the development and expansion of the country’s two main airports under a long-term public-private partnership agreement.

Modernization And Infrastructure Development

Following the concession agreement, Hermes Airports launched a major infrastructure programme that included the construction of new terminal buildings and supporting facilities at both airports. Completed in 2008 and 2009, the projects represented an investment of more than €640 million and significantly increased the capacity of Cyprus’ aviation infrastructure.

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Enhancing The Passenger Experience And Economic Impact

Passenger traffic has grown substantially during the past two decades, rising from 6.7 million passengers in 2006 to a projected 13.7 million in 2025. The increase has been supported by the addition of new airline partners, expanded route networks and improved connectivity between Cyprus and international markets. Hermes Airports has also invested in technology, accessibility and operational improvements aimed at supporting passenger services and airport operations.

Navigating Global Challenges With Strategic Resilience

The aviation sector has faced several challenges during the concession period, including the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical disruptions and fluctuations in fuel prices. Hermes Airports said it worked closely with airlines, tourism stakeholders and government authorities to maintain operations and support the recovery of passenger traffic during periods of disruption.

Future Developments And Continued Growth

A second phase of expansion is currently underway at Larnaca and Pafos airports. The project, valued at €170 million and financed by Hermes Airports, is expected to increase capacity, improve operational efficiency and create additional commercial space. Following the recent extension of its agreement with the government, the company plans to continue investing in airport infrastructure and network development.

A Legacy Of Sustainable Contributions

According to Hermes Airports, the partnership has generated more than €715 million in direct revenues for the state over the past 20 years. Its total contribution to the Cypriot economy is estimated at €790 million in 2025, while airport operations support more than 18,500 jobs across the country. The figures highlight the role of aviation and airport infrastructure in supporting tourism, connectivity and economic activity in Cyprus.

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Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

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Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.