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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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EU Adopts New Package Travel Rules With 14-Day Refund Requirement

The Council of the European Union adopted updated rules on package travel, introducing stricter requirements for refunds, transparency and consumer protection across member states. Updated provisions revise the existing directive and define obligations for travel providers offering bundled services such as flights, accommodation and transfers.

Clarifying The Package Travel Directive

The updated directive clarifies the definition of package travel and excludes certain linked travel arrangements from its scope. Coverage applies to services sold as a single product, including combinations of transport, accommodation and additional services. This revision standardizes how travel products are classified and clarifies rights and obligations for both providers and consumers at the point of purchase.

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Enhancing Transparency And Consumer Rights

New rules require providers to disclose key information before and during travel, including payment terms, visa requirements, accessibility conditions and cancellation policies. These disclosures aim to reduce disputes and improve consumer awareness. Defined refund timelines include a 14-day period for cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances and up to six months in cases of organiser insolvency. The measures address gaps identified in earlier versions of the directive.

Ensuring Accountability And Trust In Travel Services

Organisers must implement complaint-handling systems and provide clear information on insolvency protection under the updated framework. These provisions aim to improve accountability across the travel sector. Previous disruptions, including the collapse of Thomas Cook and travel restrictions during COVID-19, exposed weaknesses in refund processes and consumer protection. Updated rules respond to those issues.

Implications For Cyprus And The Broader Industry

Tourism accounts for approximately 14% of Cyprus’s GDP, with package travel playing a central role in visitor flows. Major operators such as TUI and Jet2 provide structured travel offerings that support demand. Such operators contribute to revenue stability and help extend the tourism season by securing transport and accommodation in advance. Greater regulatory clarity may support continued sector growth.

A Model For Future Consumer Protection

Clearer rules on vouchers, refunds and insolvency protection now apply across the European Union. These measures aim to reduce consumer risk in cross-border travel. Implementation across member states will determine the impact on both consumers and travel providers. The framework may influence future regulatory approaches in the sector.