Cyprus is heading for an unprecedented third consecutive record in passenger traffic, fuelled by a 19 percent increase in winter seat capacity and thirteen brand-new routes, according to Hermes Airports Director of Aviation Development Maria Kouroupi. Speaking on 15 November, Kouroupi said that coordinated incentives for airlines, backed by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, have put more than five million seats on sale for the November-March period.
The surge is being led by low-cost carriers and robust demand from Israel, Poland and the UK. Hermes’ winter-route incentive scheme reimburses airlines up to €6 per passenger on targeted services if load factors exceed 70 percent, a policy credited with luring Ryanair and Wizz Air to keep aircraft based in Larnaca throughout the off-season.
![Hermes Airports: Cyprus on track for third straight record year as winter seat capacity jumps 19 %]()
Cyprus’ strategy is to mitigate climate-driven summer heat and become a year-round destination. Hoteliers in Ayia Napa and Protaras will now keep roughly 30 percent of rooms open over winter, while restaurant and experience-provider associations have launched “Open-All-Year” certification to reassure visitors and corporate event planners.
Infrastructure will follow demand: Hermes confirmed that a €200 million terminal upgrade for Larnaca—including extra immigration counters, an expanded passport-control pier and four additional contact stands—will complete by late 2027. Paphos airport will grow 30 percent in floor space and add automated e-gates by 2026, critical for Cyprus’ planned Schengen accession.
For mobility managers, the announcement means better winter connectivity to Europe’s secondary cities, improved chances of securing corporate fares and fewer seasonal staffing bottlenecks at border control. Employers relocating staff are advised to book early: January seat capacity is already 12 percent sold, compared with 8 percent at the same point last year.
The surge is being led by low-cost carriers and robust demand from Israel, Poland and the UK. Hermes’ winter-route incentive scheme reimburses airlines up to €6 per passenger on targeted services if load factors exceed 70 percent, a policy credited with luring Ryanair and Wizz Air to keep aircraft based in Larnaca throughout the off-season.
Cyprus’ strategy is to mitigate climate-driven summer heat and become a year-round destination. Hoteliers in Ayia Napa and Protaras will now keep roughly 30 percent of rooms open over winter, while restaurant and experience-provider associations have launched “Open-All-Year” certification to reassure visitors and corporate event planners.
Infrastructure will follow demand: Hermes confirmed that a €200 million terminal upgrade for Larnaca—including extra immigration counters, an expanded passport-control pier and four additional contact stands—will complete by late 2027. Paphos airport will grow 30 percent in floor space and add automated e-gates by 2026, critical for Cyprus’ planned Schengen accession.
For mobility managers, the announcement means better winter connectivity to Europe’s secondary cities, improved chances of securing corporate fares and fewer seasonal staffing bottlenecks at border control. Employers relocating staff are advised to book early: January seat capacity is already 12 percent sold, compared with 8 percent at the same point last year.
