Cyprus Receives 56 Blue Flag Awards For 2026

Municipal Withdrawal and Pollution Concerns

The international Blue Flag programme has bestowed 56 prestigious certifications on Cyprus for 2026. This marks a decrease from the 64 certificates awarded in the previous year, a change attributed to certain municipalities opting out of the application process following numerous pollution reports during last summer’s bathing season. Michalis Ierides, president of the national Blue Flag organization and general secretary of the Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association (Cymepa), confirmed that municipalities in Amathus and Limassol chose not to submit their applications amidst these concerns.

Rigorous Standards and Certification Criteria

The Blue Flag programme remains one of the world’s most widely recognized environmental certifications for beaches and marinas. To qualify, applicants must meet strict requirements covering water quality, safety, environmental management and public information. Certified locations are required to maintain qualified lifeguard services, emergency response procedures, waste management systems and recycling facilities. Beyond environmental compliance, the programme also aims to promote public awareness of sustainability and responsible coastal management.

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Regional Distribution And Future Outlook

A total of 56 beaches and two marinas received Blue Flag certification for 2026. Paralimni-Deryneia secured the largest number of awards with 18 Blue Flags, followed by Ayia Napa with 16. Amathus received nine certifications, while Paphos was awarded six. Hierokipia and Larnaca each received three flags, and Akamas received two. Additional certifications were awarded to the community councils of Oroklini, Zygi, Pentakomo, Parekklisia, Episkopi, Pissouri and Lemba. The marinas of Limassol and Ayia Napa also retained their Blue Flag status.

The reduction in certified locations compared with last year highlights the growing focus on environmental monitoring and water quality management across Cyprus. Authorities are expected to publish the full list of awarded locations in the coming weeks as efforts continue to address pollution concerns and maintain international environmental standards.

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Cyprus Air Fares Fall As EU Prices Continue To Rise

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 27, 2026

Air transport prices in Cyprus fell in June, even as average air fares across the European Union continued to rise, according to new figures from Eurostat.

Since January 2025, air transport prices have fluctuated across the bloc, reflecting seasonal travel demand and differences between domestic and international markets.

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Cyprus Returns To Negative Territory

In Cyprus, air transport prices were 1.8% lower in June 2026 than in the same month a year earlier, reversing the 7.8% annual increase recorded in May. The increase had followed modest year-on-year declines of 0.7% in April and 0.4% in March, meaning air fares returned to negative territory in June.

While prices eased in Cyprus, the latest figures show the country diverging from the broader EU trend.

The EU Trend Remains Upward

Across the EU, air transport prices were 3.1% higher in June 2026 than a year earlier. Eurostat said the strongest annual increase during the January 2025 to June 2026 period came in April 2025, when prices were 13.7% above the previous year’s level.

Price growth moderated later in 2025 before turning negative during the opening months of 2026. Air fares then rebounded by 8.1% in May and continued to rise in June, although at a slower pace.

International Flights Drive The Volatility

Eurostat said international flights accounted for most of the volatility in air transport prices, as they tend to respond more quickly to changes in travel demand than domestic services.

International air transport prices across the EU were 4.5% higher in June than a year earlier, compared with a 2.0% increase in domestic air fares. International ticket prices recorded annual increases of 14.1% in April 2025 and 8.7% in May 2026.

Wide Gaps Remain Between Member States

Airfare trends varied significantly across the bloc between April and June 2026. Belgium recorded some of the strongest annual increases, with prices rising 41.5% in April, 33.8% in May and 28.7% in June compared with the same months of 2025.

Slovakia recorded the steepest declines over the same period, with prices falling 53.0% in April, 48.2% in May and 45.1% in June. Eurostat also noted that most EU countries saw air fares fall in April before increasing again in May.

In June, Austria and Greece posted annual increases of 22.3% and 15.1%, respectively. The largest declines were recorded in Hungary, where prices fell 13.6%, and Poland, where they dropped 13.1%.

What The Data Means For Travelers

Cyprus was among the EU countries to record a year-on-year decline in air transport prices in June, contrasting with the overall increase across the bloc. The latest figures highlight the uneven nature of Europe’s air travel market, where fare movements continue to vary considerably between countries and over time.

The figures are based on Eurostat’s Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices for passenger air transport, which measures changes in the prices consumers pay for air travel services across EU member states.

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