Cyprus is seeing a surge in tourists from Romania, with arrivals rising 120 per cent over two years, Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis said, welcoming the decision of airline Animawings to begin flights to the island. 

According to a statement from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Koumis met on Tuesday with Animawings chairman Marius Pandel and his associates to discuss cooperation prospects.

He was also joined by Antonis Orthodoxou, director of the airline’s representative company in Cyprus, ‘Orthodoxou Aviation’, to explore the expansion of air links between the two countries.

The meeting at the deputy ministry followed Animawings’ decision to include Cyprus in its flight schedule for the first time.

Pandel confirmed that, after prior consultations with the ministry, the airline plans to operate three weekly flights from Bucharest to Larnaca in 2025.

Moreover, by 2026, it intends to expand its routes to include additional flights from other Romanian cities. 

Koumis underlined the growing significance of the Romanian market for Cypriot tourism and welcomed the airline’s plans, adding that in 2024 alone, 95,000 Romanians visited Cyprus—up from 80,000 in 2023 and 43,000 in 2022. 

“This market has recorded a 120 per cent increase over two years and is expected to maintain its upward trajectory this year,” he said, noting that Cyprus continues to invest in attracting more Romanian visitors. 

“The country’s size as a source of tourists, combined with the steady growth of the Romanian economy, creates favourable conditions for further development,” he added. 

While welcoming Animawings’ decision, Koumis also emphasised the importance of expanding air connectivity in general, saying that “improving links with Romania had been a key objective for 2024.”

“The increase in available air seats from Romania lays the groundwork for significant growth in 2025 and is certainly a positive development,” he concluded.