Record-Breaking Passenger Traffic At Cyprus Airports: March 2025 Sees Remarkable Growth

by News Editor

April 8, 2025

March 2025 has proven to be a milestone month for Cyprus’s aviation industry, marking a 5.91% increase in passenger numbers compared to March 2024. Both Larnaca and Paphos airports collectively processed 707,304 passengers, establishing the highest traffic ever recorded for the first quarter of the year.

Analyzing the Traffic Surge

In an official statement, the Ministry of Transport highlighted this continuous growth, echoing the positive trends seen throughout 2024. Specifically, passenger volume at Larnaca Airport surged by 15.17%. Conversely, Paphos Airport observed an 11.45% decline in travelers year-on-year.

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Key Contributors To Growth

The dynamic increase in flights reached 5,921 movements, translating to a 5.85% boost from last year. Greece, the United Kingdom, Israel, Poland, and Germany emerged as pivotal markets in this traffic escalation.

Regional Traffic Insights

Larnaca Airport celebrated significant increases on routes connecting to Israel, Greece, the UK, Poland, and Armenia. Meanwhile, Paphos Airport saw growth in traffic to Germany, Israel, Sweden, Lithuania, and Ireland.

Shifts In Regional Traffic

Despite these improvements, certain regions experienced decreased traffic. Larnaca Airport faced declines from Germany, Austria, France, Lithuania, and Hungary, while Paphos Airport saw reductions from Greece, Italy, France, Hungary, and Bulgaria.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Digital Euro Moves Forward In EU Push For Payment Independence

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

April 28, 2026

Strengthening Strategic Autonomy

At an event held at the House of the Euro in Brussels on April 22, central bank officials discussed the role of a digital euro in strengthening the European Union’s financial independence. Participants included Stelios Georgakis, Payments Supervision Director at the Central Bank of Cyprus, and Joachim Nagel, President of the Deutsche Bundesbank.

Redefining Central Bank Role In A Digital Era

Nagel stated that the digital euro is no longer viewed solely as a technical development but also as part of a broader policy direction. He emphasized the need to strengthen Europe’s payment infrastructure to ensure resilience and independence. The digital euro is intended to complement cash rather than replace it, maintaining the role of central bank money in a more digital financial system.

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Reducing Dependence On Non-European Infrastructure

According to Nagel, around two-thirds of card payments in Europe currently rely on non-European systems. This reliance is seen as a structural vulnerability. A digital euro could help reduce this dependency by supporting a more integrated and locally controlled payments framework.

Legislative Roadmap And Timeline

Looking ahead, Nagel expressed a strong optimism regarding the legislative process, suggesting that completion could occur by year‑end. This progress may set the stage for the first issuance of the digital euro as early as 2029, in alignment with Europe’s broader ambitions for financial resilience and technological advancement.

Comprehensive Payments Strategy

During the discussion, Georgakis outlined the European Central Bank’s approach to payments. The strategy combines retail and wholesale systems, including instant payments, a digital euro, and infrastructure based on distributed ledger technology. Improving cross-border payment efficiency remains a key objective.

Transforming Europe’s Financial Landscape

The discussion reflected alignment between central banks, policymakers, and other stakeholders on the direction of Europe’s payment systems. Development of a digital euro is positioned as part of a broader effort to strengthen financial infrastructure, support economic resilience, and maintain the euro’s role in a changing global environment.

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