Dorita Yiannakou
Cypriots’ appetite for travel remains undiminished despite rising airfares. Ticket prices have already increased, but—for now, at least—people are not cutting back on trips abroad.
Travel industry representatives told Kathimerini that Cypriots are hunting for offers and planning ahead to secure reasonably priced tickets. However, airlines are expected to raise fares further as jet fuel prices continue to climb amid the prolonged energy crisis.
Geopolitical instability across the wider Middle East, and its impact on flight routes, poses the greatest risk to Cyprus and its aviation sector.
Several airlines have already signaled fare increases of up to 20% for 2027. Whether Cypriots’ demand for travel will remain as strong under that pressure remains to be seen.
What the figures show
Trips abroad by Cyprus residents remained broadly unchanged in September, reaching 165,447 compared with 166,129 in September 2025—a marginal decline of 0.4%.
According to the Statistical Service, the main countries from which residents returned in September 2026 were Greece, accounting for 35.9% of trips, or 59,422; the United Kingdom, with 6.5%, or 10,755; Italy, with 5.6%, or 9,227; and Russia, with 4.7%, or 7,711.
Holidays were overwhelmingly the main reason for travelling, accounting for 82.9% of trips. Business represented 14.3%, studies 1.5% and other reasons 1.2%.
Interest in Christmas travel is also strong, with popular European destinations attracting considerable demand. Travel industry representatives say many people have already booked and secured their flights, leaving fewer options for those arranging a last-minute getaway.
Poland, Munich, Prague, Vienna and Greece are among this year’s most popular festive destinations.
Industry representatives say airfare increases so far have exceeded 5%, broadly in line with inflation and relatively unsurprising. They warn, however, that the next round of increases will be particularly steep, adding substantially to travelers' costs.
Airlines argue that they can no longer absorb rising jet fuel costs. Another option under consideration is cutting services to destinations where demand is weak.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary recently warned of the largest fare increase on record, estimating that prices could rise by as much as 20% next year.
Meanwhile, Cyprus Airways Chairman Vasilis Zertalis said jet fuel costs had doubled. Speaking during the business segment of *Diaspora Eidiseon* on SPOR FM 95.0, he said airlines could not absorb cost increases indefinitely, as fuel is one of their largest operating expenses.
Ticket prices would therefore have to rise at some point, he said, or airlines would face serious threats to their financial viability.
According to the Eurocontrol report, jet fuel prices have reached €4.29 per gallon, up 2% in two weeks. The October average so far stands at €4.22 per gallon, 2.5% above September’s monthly average of €4.12.
The figures show that jet fuel prices have doubled year over year and continue to rise.
Eurocontrol: Growth ahead, but challenges remain
Eurocontrol’s autumn forecast for 2026-2032 identifies significant growth potential for Cyprus’ aviation sector while highlighting the challenges posed by geopolitical instability in the wider Middle East.
Cyprus is expected to record an increase of around 12% in en-route service units in 2026—a measure used to calculate air navigation charges that takes account of flight distance and aircraft weight.
Despite a decline between March and May, the overall outlook for Cyprus remains positive, the report says. Average annual growth in en-route service units is forecast to exceed 4% over 2026-2032, placing Cyprus among the countries with the strongest growth prospects in this area.
The outlook for 2027 is also positive. Eurocontrol expects aviation activity to recover across the CRCO area, comprising the 41 countries participating in its en-route charging system.
Cyprus and Turkey are among the countries expected to experience a stronger recovery, mainly because of the gradual restoration of traffic to and from the Middle East.
Nevertheless, the report highlights a significant uncertainty behind these encouraging forecasts: the region’s fragile geopolitical situation.
Much of the increased traffic through Cypriot airspace is linked to changes in international flight paths caused by regional tensions. If tensions ease and restricted airspace reopens, some flights could return to their previous routes, reducing the benefit Cyprus currently enjoys.
The challenge for Cyprus, the report adds, is to make the most of its geographical position and growing role as an aviation corridor in the eastern Mediterranean without allowing that growth to depend entirely on temporary geopolitical circumstances.
Reliable air navigation services, sufficient operational capacity, and stronger international connectivity are essential if Cyprus is to turn these opportunities into lasting gains, Eurocontrol says.
