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Wizz Air Celebrates 10 Million Passengers And Five Years Of Operations In Larnaca

Milestone Achievement In Cyprus

Low-cost carrier Wizz Air reached a significant benchmark on Thursday by transporting its 10 millionth passenger to and from Cyprus, marking five years of operations at its Larnaca base. This milestone was celebrated at Larnaca International Airport, in close collaboration with Hermes Airports.

Distinguished Attendance And Special Commemorations

The event attracted high-level government and industry officials, including Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis, Permanent Secretary Marina Ioannou Hasapi from the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, and Permanent Secretary Costas Constantinou of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism. Hungarian Ambassador Krisztina Lakos, Hermes Airports CEO Eleni Kaloyirou, Mayor Andreas Vyras, and Deputy Mayor Iason Iasonides, among other key stakeholders, further underscored the significance of this achievement.

Strategic Incentives And Expansion Initiatives

In a move to honor its travellers, Wizz Air presented five passengers with “Golden Tickets” during the 10 millionth flight to Cyprus. Complementing this celebratory gesture, the airline announced a 10% discount on flights from Cyprus tailored for travel between November and March. In a strategic thrust, the carrier is set to broaden its network by launching 10 new routes in the near future, including inaugural services from Paphos. New destinations from Larnaca include key European cities such as Barcelona, Gyumri, Skopje, Suceava, Timisoara, Tirana, Tuzla, and Venice, while flights from Paphos will connect with Yerevan and Warsaw.

Forward Looking Vision

Andras Rado, Head of Communications at Wizz Air, emphasized the airline’s commitment to safety, affordability, and enhanced connectivity. “Cyprus remains one of the most dynamic hubs in our network, and we intend to continue investing in its future by strengthening our air connections and reinforcing the tourism sector,” Rado remarked.

Maria Kouroupi, Director of Aviation Development, Marketing and Communication at Hermes Airports, highlighted that the success of Wizz Air in Cyprus demonstrates the powerful potential of strategic collaborations. “Together, we are creating tangible value that not only benefits travellers but also supports the broader economic and tourism framework of our country,” she said.

Innovative Customer Solutions

Alongside these developments, Wizz Air announced its ‘Customer First Compass’ plan – a €14 billion initiative that includes the innovative in-app feature, ‘My Journey.’ This new tool is designed to empower passengers with more efficient flight management, reflecting the carrier’s dedication to integrating cutting-edge technology with unparalleled service.

Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.

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