With Cyprus set to assume the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 January 2026, the Transport Ministry has awarded a Public Service Obligation tender guaranteeing direct flights between Larnaca and Brussels for twelve months. The deal, confirmed on 10 December after a sole bid from Aegean Airlines, ramps frequency from three weekly flights now to five in the first half of 2026.
Roughly 28,000 delegates are expected to attend 260 informal ministerials and technical meetings in Cyprus during the Presidency. Officials say a non-stop link is critical to prevent ‘double-hop’ itineraries via Athens or Vienna, which add both cost and carbon. Travel-management firms expect fare premiums during peak weeks and are urging corporates to block-book early.
Meanwhile, delegates unsure about entry requirements can streamline the process through VisaHQ, which offers step-by-step guidance, expedited handling and real-time updates for Cyprus visa applications. Full details are available at https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/.
![EU-Council Presidency Secures Year-Long Direct Larnaca–Brussels Flight]()
The service will also benefit multinational companies with EU-affairs teams in Brussels who need to shuttle staff to Cyprus for consultations. Transport planners note that late-evening departure slots from Brussels-Zaventem were negotiated to maximise one-day-trip productivity.
Long term, authorities hope the route will prove commercially viable beyond 2026, strengthening Cyprus’ connectivity with the EU’s political capital. Aviation analysts will watch load factors closely as the Presidency winds down.
Visa and documentation demands remain unchanged—Cyprus is still outside Schengen—but the government hopes the direct link, combined with ongoing accession efforts, will position the island as a natural venue for EU conferences and corporate retreats.
Roughly 28,000 delegates are expected to attend 260 informal ministerials and technical meetings in Cyprus during the Presidency. Officials say a non-stop link is critical to prevent ‘double-hop’ itineraries via Athens or Vienna, which add both cost and carbon. Travel-management firms expect fare premiums during peak weeks and are urging corporates to block-book early.
Meanwhile, delegates unsure about entry requirements can streamline the process through VisaHQ, which offers step-by-step guidance, expedited handling and real-time updates for Cyprus visa applications. Full details are available at https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/.
The service will also benefit multinational companies with EU-affairs teams in Brussels who need to shuttle staff to Cyprus for consultations. Transport planners note that late-evening departure slots from Brussels-Zaventem were negotiated to maximise one-day-trip productivity.
Long term, authorities hope the route will prove commercially viable beyond 2026, strengthening Cyprus’ connectivity with the EU’s political capital. Aviation analysts will watch load factors closely as the Presidency winds down.
Visa and documentation demands remain unchanged—Cyprus is still outside Schengen—but the government hopes the direct link, combined with ongoing accession efforts, will position the island as a natural venue for EU conferences and corporate retreats.
