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Breaking Passenger Records: Larnaca And Paphos Airports Hit New Highs

In a remarkable development, February set a record for passenger numbers at Cyprus’s Larnaca and Paphos airports, with over 500,000 travelers documented for the first time in the month. This 8% increase symbolizes shifting travel patterns, marking a pivotal moment for the island’s aviation hubs.

The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Works reported a total of 535,423 passengers, an unprecedented number for February, traditionally a quieter month in the travel calendar. Overall passenger traffic from the start of 2025 saw a 7.39% rise compared to the previous year, adding momentum to Cyprus’s tourism profile.

While Larnaca Airport experienced a robust 12.4% increase, Paphos Airport saw a slight dip of 2.95%. Aircraft traffic also surged by 4.85%, achieving 4,713 flights.

The primary contributors to this surge include Greece, the United Kingdom, Poland, Israel, and Germany, reinforcing the dynamic appeal of Cyprus as a growing destination.

Discover how these developments might impact the hospitality industry, as it continues to evolve along with changing tourism trends.

Cyprus Property Deals Reach €286 Million Despite Second-Quarter Uncertainty

Cyprus’ high-end property market remained active in the first half of 2026, although geopolitical uncertainty may have weighed on investment activity during the second quarter.

€286.4 Million Across The 50 Largest Deals

Property transactions worth a combined €286.4 million ranked among Cyprus’ 50 highest-value deals completed between January and June, according to real estate analytics firm Ask Wire.

Examining the country’s biggest sales across all districts, the report found that the 10 largest transactions alone accounted for €161.7 million, highlighting the concentration of activity at the upper end of the market.

Limassol Extends Its Lead

A €55 million sale involving a building and adjoining fields in Moni was the largest property transaction recorded during the period.

Six of the country’s 10 biggest deals took place in Limassol, with a combined value of €117.2 million. Paphos followed with three transactions worth €35.5 million, while Larnaca recorded one €9 million sale.

Across the broader ranking, Limassol’s 10 largest transactions reached €148.2 million, representing 51.7% of the total value of the top 50 deals. Paphos followed with €68.8 million (24%), while Nicosia recorded €26.7 million. Famagusta narrowly surpassed Larnaca, reaching €21.4 million compared with €21.2 million.

Land Continues To Drive High-Value Deals

According to Ask Wire CEO Pavlos Loizou, land acquisitions continue to dominate Cyprus’ largest property transactions.

“The land market dominates the list of the 10 highest-value property transactions, with seven sales involving fields and plots.”

Many of those sites are expected to be developed into luxury residential and hospitality projects, he added.

Office Demand Remains Strong

Growing demand for office space also reflects the expansion of international companies establishing operations in Cyprus, Loizou said.

“We continue to observe growing demand for office properties, reflecting the expansion of the new ecosystem of international companies that has been establishing itself in Cyprus in recent years.”

Eight of the 10 largest transactions were completed during the first quarter of 2026, with activity slowing in the following three months.

Loizou said the slowdown may reflect investor caution linked to the conflict in the Middle East, which appears to have influenced investment decisions during the second quarter.

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