Declining Numbers Signal Shifting Trends
Passenger traffic at Cyprus airports declined 15.3% year over year in March 2026, according to Hermes Airports. Total traffic reached 599,218 passengers, compared with 707,204 in March 2025, indicating a clear slowdown after previous months of growth.
At Larnaca Airport, passenger numbers fell 17.1%, from 501,594 to 415,686. Paphos Airport recorded a 10.7% decline, with traffic decreasing from 205,610 to 183,532. The data show a broad-based decrease across the country’s main entry points.
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Regional Instability Influences Traveller Behavior
The decline follows ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which have affected travel demand and booking patterns across the region. Airlines reported higher cancellation rates and slower bookings for March and April, particularly for routes linked to the Gulf. Flights to Qatar have been suspended, while European routes continue to operate with limited disruption.
Government Intervention And Future Outlook
The tourism sector has identified May 2026 as an important period for assessing demand recovery and booking trends ahead of the summer season. Authorities introduced a support scheme offering a 30% payroll subsidy for hotels with occupancy below 60% or revenue declines exceeding 40%. The measure is aimed at supporting businesses affected by reduced tourist flows and lower occupancy rates.
Industry participants continue to monitor booking patterns, cancellations, and occupancy levels as regional developments influence travel demand.
