Decline in April passenger traffic
April closed with a 16% reduction in passenger traffic and average aircraft load factors of 76% at Larnaca and Paphos airports, compared with 83% during the same period last year, according to Hermes Airports.
In absolute terms, this corresponds to a decrease of approximately 95,000 arriving passengers compared with April 2025.
Improvement in late April
Hermes Airports notes, however, that from 20 April onwards, load factors for arriving flights improved significantly, ranging between 80% and 85%. In major tourism markets such as the United Kingdom and Poland, load factors exceeded 90%.
This upward trend is seen as encouraging given the pressures faced earlier in the month.
Summer season flight adjustments
Regarding airline planning for the current summer season, from April to October, Hermes Airports reports that certain adjustments have been made. The reduction in overall seat capacity does not exceed 5%, equivalent to around 600,000 seats.
At the same time, strengthened flight programmes have been announced for September. The estimated passenger loss for the entire summer period is projected at around 9%, corresponding to roughly 450,000 arriving passengers.
Connectivity remains strong
Despite the decline, Cyprus’ connectivity remains strong, with 54 airlines operating flights to and from Cypriot airports, serving 165 destinations in 42 countries.
In most cases, schedule changes involve a reduction in weekly flight frequency rather than the cancellation of routes.
Indicative figures for May show:
- around 30 flights per day from the United Kingdom, with a load factor of 92%
- 20 flights per day from Israel, with a load factor of 60%
- 9 flights per day from Poland, with a load factor of 93%
- 8 flights per day from Germany, with a load factor of 86%
Fuel supply assurances
Addressing concerns about fuel availability, Hermes Airports says it is monitoring the issue closely in cooperation with airlines, the state and the fuel supply chain.
The company states that it has received assurances of sufficient fuel reserves and that airline flight programmes have not been affected.
Outlook and priorities
Hermes Airports acknowledges that 2026 is a particularly challenging year, following two consecutive years of record tourism and passenger traffic.
In this context, it stresses the need for coordinated action, realism and determination to reverse the climate and boost demand.
Key priorities include maintaining current connectivity, targeted promotion in major tourism markets, meaningful support for airlines and the strategic extension of the tourism season.
Through collective effort and timely interventions, the company concludes, pressures can be mitigated and the foundations laid for sustainable growth in the coming years.
Source: CNA
