Filenews 14 September 2022 - by Adamos Adamou
Another market for Cypriot tourism seems to be opening with the new year, as the concerted efforts of Hermes Airports and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism for a direct connection with Saudi Arabia are bringing results. The good news for tourism was announced by the company that will operate the direct flights between Cyprus and Saudi Arabia, Wizz Air, announcing that with the new year it will directly connect Larnaca with three airports in the country. Wizz Air will specifically connect Larnaca from next April with Riyadh and later in 2023, in July, with Jeddah and the city of Damam.
Wizz Air's announcements left the Deputy Minister of Tourism Savvas Perdios particularly satisfied, as an attempt has long been made to open this market. The scene has not been promising at all lately, as Cyprus Airways has cancelled Larnaca's connection with Jeddah, which it was planning last May.
Therefore, Wizz Air's announcements were greeted by both Hermes Airports and Mr. Perdios, who speaking to "F" said that the satisfaction is even greater, as the connection will be made with three cities that are of interest to Cyprus for tourism. The deputy minister also said that the announcements come at a good time, as he will be in Saudi Arabia at the end of November in early December for his participation as a speaker in the meeting of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which will be held in Riyadh. As he told us, his visit will certainly be accompanied by a specific event for further promotion of Cyprus and with interviews and other contacts to inform the start of direct flights between the two countries. He also revealed that there will certainly be contacts in order for the flight schedule between the two countries to be strengthened with the involvement of other local airlines, namely Saudi airlines.
Mr. Perdios noted the importance of the connection with three cities of the SA, highlighting the direct connection with the city of Damam, which is adjacent and connected via a bridge with Bahrain.
At the same time, he estimated that with the direct flights that start next year, the first step is being taken for the opening of the SA of almost 40 million residents and assured that there is already reinforcement of the embassy in Riyadh but also assistance in the other cities from consulates, for passport visas.
Wizz Air's announcement was welcomed by the senior Director of Aviation Development, Marketing & Communication of Hermes Airports, Maria Kouroupi, with her statements to "F". We hope, Added Ms. Kouroupi, that similar announcements will be made by others, adding that the effort to enhance the country's air connectivity is continuous.
In this context, the managing company of the airports is in constant contact with the competent ministries, with these contacts bearing fruit for the time being, as shown by the data published the day before yesterday by Hermes Airports, as, despite the loss this year of the Russian and Ukrainian market, passengers are 'up' on an annual basis and approach 80% of the traffic of 2019.
