Larnaka International Airport (LCA) and Paphos International Airport (PFO), the two largest airports in Cyprus, handled more combined passengers in 2023 than ever before, with traffic exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
According to Hermes Airports, which manages both hubs, LCA and PFO handled a combined 11.6 million passengers in 2023, up 3% over 2019. LCA in particular is reporting strong growth, handling 8.1 million passengers in 2023, up 34% from 2022. PFO handled 3.6 million passengers in 2023, up 12% over 2022.
According to Hermes, 52 airlines operated from the two airports in 2023, flying 159 routes touching 39 countries.
The airports’ recovery “is attributed to the restoration of connectivity to 2019 levels for traditional markets such as the United Kingdom, while there was substantial penetration into other markets,” Hermes says in a statement. “For 28 markets which represent 66% of total passenger traffic, an increase [in traffic] was recorded [in 2023] compared to 2019,” including on routes to Poland, Italy and Hungary.
The two airports averaged handling 41,000 passengers per day in the summer and 18,000 daily passengers in the winter.
Hermes says the two airports will see an increase in winter-season flights this year, “contributing to establishing Cyprus as a year-round destination.”
“During winter 2023-24, there is a 30% increase in available airline seats in comparison to the corresponding period of 2019, with an average 70 flights per day," the airports operator adds. "During this winter season, 30 airlines will operate flights to 35 countries and 102 destinations from [LCA and PFO].”
Maria Kouroupi, senior manager of aviation development for Hermes, says: “The increase in passenger traffic and the reinforcement of connectivity on an island like Cyprus create a stable foundation for the substantial development of various sectors of the economy. The country's connectivity is on a solid base, and we look toward 2024 with optimism.”
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