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Cyprus projects €1.13 billion fiscal surplus in 2025 budget

Cyprus is set to deliver a fiscal surplus of €1.13 billion in 2025, equivalent to 3.3% of GDP, according to the state budget presented to the House of Representatives on Thursday. The budget outlines an overall increase in revenues of 6.2% in 2025, with a slight 1.2% reduction in expenditures compared to 2024.

Total state expenditure for 2025 is projected at €12.93 billion, encompassing debt repayments, interest, and investments. The breakdown includes €3.53 billion for the Fixed Fund, €7.85 billion in regular expenditures, and €1.55 billion for development expenses. This represents a slight decrease from the €13.1 billion allocated in 2024.

In terms of revenues (excluding financial flows), the government forecasts a 6.2% increase, bringing the total to €10.31 billion in 2025, compared to €9.71 billion in 2024. The main sources of revenue will come from direct and indirect taxation, estimated at €8.48 billion—or 82% of total revenues. The remaining 18% will be generated from non-tax income, including the sale of goods and services, rental income, and transfers.

Direct tax revenues are projected to rise by 4.9% to €3.92 billion, while indirect taxes are expected to increase by 5.6%, totalling €4.56 billion. Non-tax revenues are forecast to see a significant 10.3% increase, reaching €1.83 billion.

While there is a slight 1% decrease in personnel-related expenditures, totalling €3.62 billion in 2025, operational expenditures are expected to surge by 21.4%, reaching €1.42 billion. This is attributed to increases in reserve funds, defence, policing, and consulting services.

Transfer payments—including social benefits, grants to public and private organizations, and contributions to the EU budget—are expected to grow by 5.3%, reaching €3.99 billion. The largest increases in 2025 will be in contributions to the General Healthcare System (GeSY) and social security funds.

Capital expenditures, which cover co-financed projects, land and equipment purchases, and building renovations, are projected to rise by 4% in 2025 to €1.14 billion. Meanwhile, debt service expenditures are expected to fall by 18.6%, dropping to €2.75 billion in 2025 from €3.38 billion in 2024.

Steady growth until 2027

Looking at key economic indicators, the Cypriot economy is expected to grow steadily through 2027. GDP for 2025 is projected at €33.86 billion, with an annual growth rate of 3.1%. By 2027, GDP is forecast to reach €37.54 billion, with growth rates of 3.2% and 3.3% in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

Unemployment is set to decline from 5.0% in 2024 to 4.5% by 2027, while inflation is expected to remain stable at 2.0% annually from 2025 to 2027. The fiscal surplus is forecast to remain strong, at 3.3% of GDP in 2025, declining slightly to 3.1% by 2027.

The primary surplus is expected to reach 4.8% of GDP in 2025 and stabilize at 4.4% by 2027. Meanwhile, public debt as a percentage of GDP is projected to decline from 69.3% in 2024 to 64.2% in 2025 and 53.5% by 2027. Capital expenditures are expected to peak at €1.39 billion (or 4.1% of GDP) in 2025, before dropping to 3.1% of GDP by 2027.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) Retains Title As The World’s Busiest International Airport In 2024

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has once again earned the title of the World’s Busiest International Airport with a total of 60.2 million seats in 2024. This follows its similar achievements in 2023 and 2019, underscoring the UAE’s strategic position in global aviation. DXB’s capacity saw a significant 7% year-on-year growth compared to 2023, as well as a 12% increase over pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

OAG’s report, which calculates the busiest airports based on international airline capacity, placed DXB in the lead, with Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) coming in second overall when including both domestic and international flights. The rankings highlight DXB’s role in shaping the global aviation sector, aided by the UAE’s efficient infrastructure and positioning as a key air traffic hub.

Top 10 Busiest International Airports In 2024

Following DXB, London Heathrow Airport (LHR) secured the second spot with 48.4 million seats, marking a 4% increase in capacity from 2023. Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) made an impressive leap, moving up four places to claim third with 41.6 million seats, reflecting a 24% capacity growth compared to 2023.

Other notable airports in the top 10 include Singapore Changi (SIN) in fourth place with 41.5 million seats, and Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) in fifth with 40 million. Istanbul Airport (IST) showed the most substantial growth in capacity among the top 10, increasing by 20% to reach 38.6 million seats, securing sixth place.

Noteworthy Changes In Rankings

Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) followed in seventh place with 38.5 million seats, while Frankfurt Airport (FRA) ranked eighth with 35.7 million. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) had the most significant year-on-year capacity increase in the top 10, up by 40%, although still 23% behind 2019 levels. Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) rounded out the top 10 with 32.5 million seats, experiencing a 13% increase from 2023.

Global Overview: Top 10 Busiest Airports In 2024 (Including Both Domestic And International Flights)

The busiest airport globally in 2024 was Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), with 62.7 million seats. It maintained its top position from 2023 and 2019, although capacity was up just 2% year-on-year and slightly down from 2019 by 1%. Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) secured third place with 55.2 million seats, a 5% increase from 2023.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) moved into fifth place, surpassing its pre-pandemic capacity by 18%. Denver International (DEN) saw the highest growth among the top 10, with a remarkable 24% capacity increase, moving it to sixth position.

Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) saw a 29% increase in capacity compared to 2023, largely driven by China’s post-pandemic recovery in air travel, propelling PVG from 15th in 2023 to 9th in 2024.

The rankings of the busiest airports reveal the resilience of global aviation and the recovery of regions like China, while also underscoring the growing importance of airports in the Middle East and North America. With substantial growth expected to continue, these airports will play a pivotal role in the global recovery and expansion of air travel in the coming years.

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