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Cyprus ranks among the top destinations for Athens International Airport, with passenger numbers between the two countries hitting new records this year.
According to data from Athens International Airport (AIA), Cyprus is now the sixth most important market out of 200 globally, accounting for 15% of all international passenger traffic at “Eleftherios Venizelos.”
In 2024 alone, 1.4 million travelers passed through Athens from Cyprus, an all-time high, and the upward trend is continuing. Traffic in the first nine months of this year is already up 9% compared to the same period in 2023.
The vast majority of travelers, 91%, depart from Larnaca Airport, while Paphos accounts for the remaining 9%. For Cypriot travelers, Athens remains the top destination, attracting 72% of visitors from Cyprus, while the rest are spread across other Greek regions.
The connection goes both ways, Cyprus is also the second most popular destination for Greeks after London, underscoring the strong and enduring ties between the two countries.
According to Athens Airport’s annual passenger survey, Greek travelers on the Athens–Cyprus route are mostly solo passengers visiting friends and family (over 40%), with another 28% traveling for business. Most book their tickets about a month in advance and stay for an average of ten days.
On the flip side, 38% of Cypriots visiting Greece go for holidays, while 36% travel to see friends and relatives, reflecting the close cultural and social bond that continues to fuel traffic between the two nations.
Among the airlines servicing the route is Cyprus Airways, which operates 13 flights per week between Larnaca and Athens. The airline is reportedly considering adding more flights next year to meet rising demand.
*Source: Kathimerini Greece
