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Cyprus Airports Set Record Passenger Traffic In 2024

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 10, 2025

Passenger traffic at Cyprus’ Larnaca and Paphos airports reached an all-time high in 2024, according to the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Works. The record-breaking year marked a milestone in the island’s aviation history, highlighting Cyprus as a robust hub for tourism and business travel.

Key markets driving this achievement included the United Kingdom, Greece, Israel, Poland, and Germany, collectively accounting for 64% of the 7.8 million passengers who travelled through the airports. Among the top destinations were London and Athens, each attracting around 1.4 million passengers, followed by Tel Aviv with approximately 1 million travelers, and Thessaloniki, Manchester, and Vienna.

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In a press release, the Ministry highlighted that passenger traffic for January through December 2024 surpassed all previous records, with a 5.6% growth compared to 2023 and a 9.1% increase over pre-pandemic levels in 2019. These figures underscore the sector’s remarkable recovery and Cyprus’ rising appeal as a destination.

“Despite economic pressures and geopolitical uncertainties, Cyprus has demonstrated resilience in tourism,” the Ministry stated. Travel patterns showed an encouraging trend, with demand extending beyond the traditional summer months. Passenger numbers for January to March and September to December rose by over 7% compared to the previous year.

The busiest travel months, May to October, accounted for 67% of total traffic, with 8.2 million passengers passing through the airports. August set the record as the busiest month, with Larnaca Airport seeing its peak daily traffic—21,189 passengers—on August 26. March stood out as the fastest-growing month, with a 12% year-on-year increase in passenger numbers.

December also closed the year on a high note, with 654,760 passengers passing through Larnaca and Paphos airports—a 10.5% rise compared to December 2023. While Larnaca saw a 15.06% increase, Paphos experienced a slight decline of 0.74%. Christmas Day marked the quietest moment of the year, with just 341 passengers at Paphos Airport.

Aircraft traffic mirrored the growth trend, with 5,732 flights recorded in December—a 4.12% increase over 2023.

The Ministry credited its success to incentive schemes introduced in 2012 in partnership with Hermes Airports. Backed by €240 million in targeted investments, these initiatives have opened new markets, boosted connectivity, and enhanced Cyprus’ competitive edge in the civil aviation sector.

Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades reaffirmed the government’s commitment to further strengthening the industry. “We will continue promoting initiatives that enhance resilience and improve connectivity, ensuring Cyprus remains a top choice for travelers worldwide,” he said.

This record-breaking year for Cyprus’ airports underscores the island’s enduring appeal and the effectiveness of long-term strategic investments in aviation and tourism.

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Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

by News Editor

May 31, 2025

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.