Air traffic at Cyprus airports recorded a sharp decline of 15.3 per cent in March, according to official figures released by Hermes Airports, as the crisis in the Middle East significantly affected tourist flows to the island and interrupted a series of consecutive records.
Hermes Airports data shows that passenger numbers in March 2026 fell to 599,200, down from 707,200 in March 2025.
At Larnaca Airport, passenger traffic dropped to 415,700 from 501,600 a year earlier, representing a decline of 17.1 per cent. At Paphos Airport, traffic fell to 183,500 from 205,600, down 10.7 per cent.
Passenger volumes for the first quarter
During the first quarter of 2026, total passenger traffic reached 1.8 million. Of this total, 1.3 million passengers passed through Larnaca Airport, while 537,300 used Paphos Airport.
Winter traffic up 16 per cent
Despite the March setback, winter air traffic showed strong growth. Speaking recently to CNA, Hermes Airports Director of Aviation Development, Marketing and Communications Maria Kouroupi said winter passenger traffic at Larnaca and Paphos airports increased by 16 per cent compared with the same period last year, covering November to January.
The figures highlight the contrasting trends between the winter season and the start of spring, as geopolitical developments in the region weigh on travel demand.