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Cyprus Airports Set To Welcome 13 Million Passengers In A Record-Breaking Year

by News Editor

April 14, 2025

Cyprus is on the verge of hitting a new milestone in air travel as Hermes Airports anticipates an influx of up to 13 million passengers in 2025. This reflects a notable 5.6% annual increase from last year’s figures, further cementing the island’s reputation as a thriving hub of connectivity.

With 55 airlines ready to operate flights to and from 158 destinations across 39 countries, the surge in passenger traffic is no coincidence. Hermes Airports, the body managing Larnaca and Paphos international airports, attributes this growth to strategic efforts aimed at enhancing air connectivity to and from Cyprus.

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New Routes And Airlines

The summer schedule introduces exciting new direct routes including Riyadh, Venice, Marseille, Düsseldorf, Lyon, and Sibiu. Significantly, the Riyadh-Larnaca connection debuts Saudia’s inclusion in Cyprus’s scheduled route network. Fresh names like AnimaWings, SkyUP, and Air Haifa are entering the market, adding vibrant options to regional air travel.

A Resilient Tourism Sector

Despite losing significant markets such as Russian and Ukrainian travel and facing global economic uncertainties, Cyprus’s tourism remains strong.

As we approach the summer, Hermes Airports is geared up to manage 145 flights daily, underscoring Cyprus’s role as a pivotal player in the Mediterranean air travel sphere. Stay tuned as Cyprus continues its journey of growth, leveraging strategic connections and resilient infrastructure.

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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.

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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.