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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.

Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone Draws $8.1B In Investments Through 255 Projects

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 4, 2025

Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) has secured an impressive $8.1 billion in investments across 255 projects in the last 30 months, according to an official announcement on Monday.

Major Investment Boost For SCZone

The General Authority for the SCZone has successfully attracted 251 projects in its industrial zones and ports, accumulating $6.2 billion in capital investments, which has resulted in around 28,000 new jobs, as stated by SCZone Chairman Walid Gamal El-Din.

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Additionally, four new projects have brought in $1.8 billion in investments, boosting the total capital inflows within the zone. These developments were discussed in a meeting with Mohamed Zaki El Sewedy, Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI), and other officials from various chambers of commerce.

Strengthening Industrial Ties And Opportunities

The meeting focused on expanding investment prospects, fostering collaboration, and addressing challenges faced by industrial firms with strong export potential. A key objective was to encourage businesses to scale up their operations within the SCZone, leveraging its prime location, advanced infrastructure, and investor-friendly policies.

El-Din stressed the importance of the SCZone in driving Egypt’s economic growth and industrial transformation, citing the Ain Sokhna Integrated Industrial Zone as a flagship example of development. This zone is a testament to Egypt’s growing presence as a competitive global manufacturing hub.

The continued partnership between the SCZone and the private sector, El-Din noted, plays a pivotal role in building a strong ‘Made in Egypt’ brand, supporting local industrial development, and boosting innovation to improve Egypt’s position in global markets.

Acknowledging Achievements And Future Collaboration

El Sewedy praised the SCZone for its efforts in creating a robust investment climate, offering comprehensive services, incentives, and cutting-edge infrastructure. This meeting marked the beginning of a deeper collaboration between the SCZone and FEI, setting the stage for future joint initiatives.

Egypt’s Economic Outlook

Egypt’s economy is projected to grow by 4% in the year leading up to June, bolstered by supportive measures from the IMF, according to a Reuters poll conducted in January 2025. The poll also forecasts a GDP growth acceleration to 4.7% in 2025-26 and 5% in 2026-27.

However, the country’s GDP growth slowed to 2.4% in 2023-24, down from 3.8% in the previous year, primarily due to the ongoing currency crisis and the geopolitical impact of the war in neighboring Gaza, according to the Central Bank of Egypt.