Air traffic showed a significant acceleration in the first few days of May, sending optimistic signals ahead of the summer season, according to Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos.

The minister, in post on his official Twitter profile, said that the first nine days of May accounted for 59 per cent of passenger traffic and almost 44 per cent of flights for the whole of April.

More specifically, passenger traffic at Cyprus’ two airports amounted to 63,827 passengers, consisting of 34,650 arrivals and 29,177 departures.

In total, 470 flights were operated at Larnaca and Paphos airports, which corresponds to 43.6 per cent of the total number of passenger flights operated in the previous month (1,077).


“With steady steps and good omens we are entering the summer season with increased flights and strong interest from airlines,” Karousos said.

“As we improve our epidemiological picture, our air connectivity and tourism will also see the benefits.”

According to Hermes, the company running the operations at Larnaca and Paphos airports, a total of 220 flights are expected this week.

Senior director of aviation development of Hermes Maria Kouroupi told CNA on Monday that flights from the UK are expected to pick up in June as various airlines – including British Airways – began adding flights to their schedule for that period.