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Flights Resume Between Cyprus And Israel As Airlines Restore Routes

Cyprus Airways Reconnects Cyprus And Israel

Cyprus Airways has resumed daily flights between Larnaca and Tel Aviv, restoring a key air link between Cyprus and Israel. The decision follows a review of safety and operational conditions, as airlines gradually return to routes in the Middle East after earlier disruptions.

Aegean Airlines Restarts Critical Routes

Aegean Airlines is also reinstating services to Tel Aviv. Flights from Athens are scheduled to resume on April 28, followed by Heraklion on April 30. Additional routes from Larnaca, Rhodes, Riyadh, and Amman are planned for May, reflecting adjustments to meet changing travel demand.

Diversification Of Airlines And Operational Vigilance

Other carriers are returning to the market as well, including Israir, airHaifa, Arkia Israeli Airlines, and Sundor. Operations between Larnaca and both Tel Aviv and Haifa are being reintroduced. Airlines continue to monitor regional developments on a daily basis, allowing schedules to be adjusted if conditions change.

TUI Adjusts Revenue Forecasts Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty

Geopolitical tensions linked to Iran continue to affect the travel sector. TUI has revised its operating profit outlook and suspended revenue guidance as demand shifts away from Eastern Mediterranean destinations, including Turkey, Cyprus, and Egypt. The company’s shares fell 2.6% on Wednesday and are down 25% over the past three months.

Lufthansa Streamlines Operations Amid Soaring Fuel Costs

Rising fuel costs are also impacting airline operations. Lufthansa has announced the cancellation of 20,000 short-haul flights from its summer schedule. Earlier measures included closing its Cityline unit and retiring 27 older aircraft. The adjustments affect major hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, and Rome. Similar steps have been taken by SAS Scandinavian Airlines and Air France-KLM, with the latter introducing a €100 surcharge on long-haul tickets.

Cyprus And Greece Outline Joint Tourism Plans For Summer 2026

Strategic Partnership Enhances Tourism Prospects

The Cyprus Tourism Authority (EOT Cyprus) presented proposals for summer 2026 focused on strengthening tourism cooperation between Cyprus and Greece, with joint efforts aimed at attracting visitors from long-haul markets.

Greece: The Top Destination For Cypriot Travelers

At an event on April 28, Athena Spakouri, Director of EOT Cyprus, said Greece is expected to remain the main travel destination for Cypriot residents, with plans extending beyond established locations to include lesser-known regions. This approach reflects a broader effort to diversify travel options while maintaining strong demand between the two countries.

Complementary Destinations, Unified Vision

Building on this, Spakouri noted that Cyprus and Greece offer complementary tourism experiences rather than competing directly. Joint programmes are therefore being positioned to attract visitors from markets such as the United States and China, while tourism activity continues to be assessed in the context of broader geopolitical developments.

Robust Air And Sea Connectivity

Supporting this cooperation, Konstantinos Kollias said around 600,000 Cypriots travelled to Greece in 2025. Frequent flights, short travel times, and ferry connections between Limassol and Piraeus continue to facilitate movement between the two countries and sustain travel flows.

Diverse Tourism Offerings for a New Era

Konstantinos Kollias highlighted that Greece’s tourism portfolio spans from traditional seaside holidays to sectors such as cultural, religious, gastronomic, agritourism, ecotourism, spa, conference, and medical tourism.

This range reflects the expansion of tourism offerings across different segments and travel preferences. In parallel, Joseph Iosif referred to Greece as a “second homeland” for Cypriot travellers, pointing to longstanding cultural and travel links between the two countries.

Innovative Programs And Strengthened Connections

Building on this approach, the EOT strategy includes initiatives focused on gastronomic routes, cultural trails, thematic and religious tourism, as well as curated city breaks in destinations such as Athens and Thessaloniki. These programmes were presented at the event alongside references to historical, cultural, and religious connections between Cyprus and Greece, including remarks from Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria.

Boosting Air Connectivity And Island Accessibility

At the same time, airlines including Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, and Cyprus Airways outlined plans to expand connections between Cyprus and Greece, with a focus on increasing access to island destinations. The event also brought together stakeholders from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Hermes Airports, tour operators, and ACTAA, reflecting coordination across different parts of the tourism sector.

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