Cyprus’ two international airports experienced record-breaking passenger traffic in 2024, according to the Transport Ministry.

The Larnaca and Paphos airports combined saw a 5.6 per cent increase in traffice when compared to 2023, as well as a 9.1 per cent rise from the pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019.

“The year 2024 demonstrated the best performance over time in terms of passenger volume,” the ministry said.  

“This is a clear indicator of the strong appeal of Cyprus as both a tourist and business destination,” it added.  

The UK, Greece, Israel, Poland, and Germany were highlighted as crucial markets for Cyprus, accounting for 64 per cent of the total, with 7.8 million passengers.

Moreover, key destinations included London and Athens, each drawing around 1.4 million passengers, and Tel Aviv, with close to 1 million. 

The ministry credited much of this success to ongoing incentive schemes for airlines that began in 2012.  

“Our targeted investments of around €240 million have been crucial in routing the fierce competition in the aviation sector and the instability of the geopolitical climate,” said the ministry. 

The report also pointed out that travel demand in Cyprus is now spreading beyond the traditional high season, with significant increases noted from January to March and September to December, growing more than 7 per cent year-on-year.  

“This trend towards extended travel periods underscores our success in enhancing Cyprus’s position as a year-round destination,” the ministry noted. 

The busiest period remained for the six months from May to October, with 8.2 million passengers, or 67 per cent of the year’s total.  

The peak day was recorded on August 26 at Larnaca Airport, which saw 21,189 passengers, while March showed the highest growth in passenger numbers with a 12 per cent increase. 

In contrast, December experienced a mixed performance; passenger numbers at Larnaca airport increased by 15.06 per cent, whereas Paphos airport saw a slight decrease of 0.74 per cent.  

The overall aircraft traffic in December also increased, with a total of 5,732 flights, marking a 4.12 per cent rise from the previous year. 

Reflecting on these achievements, the ministry expressed gratitude towards Hermes Airports and various tourism operators for their dedication and cooperation.  

“Their unwavering commitment and the strategic use of resources have been key to our success,” the ministry stated.

It also provided assurances that there will be “continued efforts to promote initiatives that strengthen the sector’s resilience and improve connectivity in Cyprus”.