Filenews 5 January 2023
A total of 9.2 million passengers were handled at Cyprus airports in 2022, accounting for 82% of 2019 passenger traffic, said Maria Kouroupi, Senior Director of Aviation Development, Marketing & Communications at Hermes Airports.
He added that "2022 ended with 9.2 million arriving and departing passengers, which corresponds to approximately 82% of 2019 passenger traffic".
He noted that "despite the challenges we had to face, such as the pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine with the suspension of flights from the two countries, as well as the lack of staff observed in airlines and ground handling companies, we managed to achieve a substantial recovery of passenger traffic and connectivity in Cyprus and lay the foundations for a steady upward trend".
In response to a question, Ms. Kouroupi said that "in 2022 we had flights from 50 airlines to 38 countries and 140 routes", adding that "the most popular destinations for 2022 were the UK, Greece, Israel, Germany, Poland, Austria, Sweden, Italy, Hungary and Romania".
He also noted that "the continuous communication with the airlines and the two-way exchange of information, the joint actions and of course the incentive plans, were very important elements for the very good picture that we have before us today".
Besides, he added, "improving the attractiveness of Cyprus as well as enhancing our connectivity as an island, are strategic goals of Hermes Airports, for the implementation of which we work closely with the rest of the tourism stakeholders".
When asked what is expected for the new year in terms of air traffic, Maria Kouroupi replied that "if there is no setback with the pandemic, we remain optimistic as the messages we receive are encouraging". Already, he said, "the airlines have drawn up an ambitious programme with many new destinations, but also the strengthening of existing routes, something in which the new incentive plan for airlines has been a catalyst".
