Cyprus has ended a decade-long struggle to restore nonstop flights to the EU’s political heartland by signing a one-year Public-Service Obligation (PSO) contract with Aegean Airlines. The agreement, inked on 28 November by Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades and Aegean executives, guarantees at least three weekly rotations between Larnaca and Brussels from 1 December 2025 through 30 November 2026, ramping up to five flights per week during the peak of Cyprus’ EU Council Presidency in the first half of 2026.
The deal caps one-way fully flexible economy fares at €400 (taxes, 23 kg bag and meal included) and obliges the airline to deploy 174-seat Airbus A320neos fitted with KU-band Wi-Fi and 15 tonnes of belly-cargo capacity. For Cypriot officials who will shuttle to Brussels up to twice a week next year—along with lobbyists, journalists and consultants—the move eliminates the time-consuming connections through Athens, Vienna or London that have dominated itineraries since the demise of Cyprus Airways in 2015.
![Cyprus secures year-round Larnaca–Brussels service as EU Presidency looms]()
Business groups welcomed the state-backed route, arguing that reliable access to EU institutions is essential for the island’s financial-services and shipping sectors, which must engage intensively with regulators during the Presidency. The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce estimates that reconnecting Brussels will inject at least €35 million into the economy via conferences, MICE traffic and export cargo (halloumi, pharmaceuticals and high-value perishables).
The PSO model mirrors arrangements used by Malta, Luxembourg and other small states to ensure strategic connectivity. Officials hinted that similar contracts could soon underpin links to Frankfurt and Paris, further strengthening Cyprus’ post-pandemic aviation recovery. Ticket sales opened within hours of the signing; Aegean says the inaugural flight is already 60 percent full, signalling pent-up demand. Mobility managers are urged to book early, as the Presidency is forecast to generate more than 15 000 additional round trips in the first half of 2026.
The deal caps one-way fully flexible economy fares at €400 (taxes, 23 kg bag and meal included) and obliges the airline to deploy 174-seat Airbus A320neos fitted with KU-band Wi-Fi and 15 tonnes of belly-cargo capacity. For Cypriot officials who will shuttle to Brussels up to twice a week next year—along with lobbyists, journalists and consultants—the move eliminates the time-consuming connections through Athens, Vienna or London that have dominated itineraries since the demise of Cyprus Airways in 2015.
Business groups welcomed the state-backed route, arguing that reliable access to EU institutions is essential for the island’s financial-services and shipping sectors, which must engage intensively with regulators during the Presidency. The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce estimates that reconnecting Brussels will inject at least €35 million into the economy via conferences, MICE traffic and export cargo (halloumi, pharmaceuticals and high-value perishables).
The PSO model mirrors arrangements used by Malta, Luxembourg and other small states to ensure strategic connectivity. Officials hinted that similar contracts could soon underpin links to Frankfurt and Paris, further strengthening Cyprus’ post-pandemic aviation recovery. Ticket sales opened within hours of the signing; Aegean says the inaugural flight is already 60 percent full, signalling pent-up demand. Mobility managers are urged to book early, as the Presidency is forecast to generate more than 15 000 additional round trips in the first half of 2026.
