Ground transport at Cyprus’ busiest gateway was disrupted on 13 January when members of the Pancyprian Urban Taxi Federation in Larnaca staged a four-hour strike from 07:00 to 11:00. Drivers are protesting what they call the “uncontrolled activity” of ride-hailing apps and out-of-district cabs that, they say, poach airport fares without holding local permits.(visahq.com)
The union is demanding that the Road Transport Department block apps dispatching non-licensed vehicles and require all digital-platform drivers to join the physical taxi queue outside the arrivals hall. Officials claim draft regulations are already in public consultation, but the federation has threatened a 24-hour strike on 20 January and an indefinite shutdown from 28 January if no action is taken.
![Larnaca Airport Taxi Walkout Highlights App-Based Mobility Flashpoint]()
Travelers caught in the middle of these disruptions should ensure their paperwork is in perfect order before arrival. VisaHQ’s Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) provides real-time visa guidance and application support so that sudden itinerary changes—like re-routing through Paphos or extending a stay due to strike delays—don’t clash with immigration rules.
Hermes Airports confirmed that flight operations were unaffected but warned that tens of thousands of passengers—including winter business travellers bound for Nicosia and Limassol—could face onward-transfer delays if industrial action escalates. Travel managers are advising employees to pre-book authorised shuttles, build extra buffer time into meeting schedules or route through Paphos, which remains unaffected.
The dispute underscores a broader EU challenge: balancing app-based mobility innovation with legacy licence regimes that fund airport infrastructure. Observers say Cyprus’ handling of the standoff could influence similar tussles in other Mediterranean tourism hubs such as Malta and Palma de Mallorca.(visahq.com)
The union is demanding that the Road Transport Department block apps dispatching non-licensed vehicles and require all digital-platform drivers to join the physical taxi queue outside the arrivals hall. Officials claim draft regulations are already in public consultation, but the federation has threatened a 24-hour strike on 20 January and an indefinite shutdown from 28 January if no action is taken.
Travelers caught in the middle of these disruptions should ensure their paperwork is in perfect order before arrival. VisaHQ’s Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) provides real-time visa guidance and application support so that sudden itinerary changes—like re-routing through Paphos or extending a stay due to strike delays—don’t clash with immigration rules.
Hermes Airports confirmed that flight operations were unaffected but warned that tens of thousands of passengers—including winter business travellers bound for Nicosia and Limassol—could face onward-transfer delays if industrial action escalates. Travel managers are advising employees to pre-book authorised shuttles, build extra buffer time into meeting schedules or route through Paphos, which remains unaffected.
The dispute underscores a broader EU challenge: balancing app-based mobility innovation with legacy licence regimes that fund airport infrastructure. Observers say Cyprus’ handling of the standoff could influence similar tussles in other Mediterranean tourism hubs such as Malta and Palma de Mallorca.(visahq.com)
