Aegean Airlines is stepping up efforts to help position Cyprus as a year-round destination, strengthening its presence on the island with a new Larnaca-Rome route and increased seat capacity.

Speaking at the Hermes Airports conference ‘Beyond Sea and Sun’, company president Eftychios Vassilakis emphasised the critical role of air connectivity in attracting quality tourism.

As part of Aegean’s broader development strategy in Cyprus, the new direct service to Rome’s Fiumicino airport launched in April, operating three times a week during summer and continuing into the winter season.

The carrier also unveiled plans to boost its total seat offering by 22 per cent in 2025, reaching 1.44 million seats to and from Cyprus. Most routes will be operated with larger Airbus A321neo aircraft.

Vassilakis also pointed to recent investments aimed at enhancing passenger experience, including the launch of Aegean’s new business lounge at Larnaca Airport last June.

The 345 square metre lounges, located at the departure gates, is designed to offer what the airline calls a “comprehensive and unsurpassed travel experience”.

Aegean, which has operated in Cyprus for over two decades and maintains a base at Larnaca Airport, has carried more than 12 million passengers to and from the island.

It currently connects Cyprus with more than 160 destinations worldwide through its hubs in Athens and Thessaloniki.

Addressing delegates at the Hermes conference, Vassilakis stressed that while airlines facilitate travel, they are not the primary reason people choose to visit a destination.

 “Travellers don’t buy an air trip, they buy the overall experience,” he said, adding that Aegean aims to reflect local hospitality and culture through its services.

He argued that Cyprus must focus on offering authentic experiences that go beyond the traditional sun and sea model.

“Travellers are increasingly seeking something different, less standardised and more genuine,” he said. “This requires strong cooperation across the sector, from local bodies to tourism providers.”

The Hermes Airports initiative, which brought together key players in tourism, aviation, and government, was welcomed across the board as a step toward aligning policy with the island’s long-term tourism strategy.

Despite geopolitical instability and stiff competition, Aegean recorded a notable increase in activity in 2024, particularly on routes affected by the situation in Israel, Vassilakis noted.

The Greek flag carrier, a member of the Star Alliance network, is also expanding its fleet. It has extended its 2018 Airbus agreement for the third time, now totaling 58 aircraft—37 of which will be A321neo and four long-range variants, capable of reaching destinations up to 7.5 hours away.

Aegean currently operates 250 direct scheduled and charter routes, 55 domestic and 195 international, from its seven hubs in Greece and abroad.

In 2024, the airline marked its 25th anniversary and was once again named Best Regional Airline in Europe by Skytrax, for the 13th year in a row.