**Title: Cyprus Airport Traffic Decline Narrows in June**
Passenger traffic at Cyprus' two main airports, Larnaca and Paphos, experienced a decline of 4.11% in June 2026, according to data released by Hermes Airports. This marks a smaller decrease compared to the more significant losses recorded earlier in the year, indicating a potential stabilization in the aviation sector following a challenging spring.
In June 2026, a total of 1.38 million passengers traveled through the two airports, down from 1.44 million in the same month the previous year. The June figures suggest a more contained slowdown in passenger numbers, particularly after the sharp declines of 16.1% in April and 15.3% in March. May also saw a slight drop of 4.13%, but the June figures indicate an improvement in the trend.
The performance of the two airports varied significantly. Larnaca Airport, which serves as the primary air gateway for Cyprus, handled approximately 957,800 passengers in June 2026, a decrease from around 1.1 million in June 2025. In contrast, Paphos Airport reported an increase in passenger numbers, with 420,500 travelers recorded in June 2026, up from 370,400 a year earlier. This divergence suggests that while Larnaca faced challenges, Paphos continued to experience growth.
In the first half of 2026, passenger traffic through Larnaca and Paphos airports totaled 5.4 million, a decline from 5.7 million during the same period in 2025. Of this year's total, Larnaca accounted for 3.8 million passengers, while Paphos contributed 1.7 million. This decrease in passenger numbers comes on the heels of a record year for Cyprus' airports, where passenger traffic reached an all-time high of 13.75 million in 2025, representing a 12% increase compared to 2024.
Hermes Airports has noted that despite the recent declines, Cyprus' air connectivity remains robust. The island is served by 54 airlines, connecting it to 165 destinations across 42 countries. The adjustments made by airlines have primarily involved reducing weekly flight frequencies rather than canceling entire routes, indicating a cautious approach to the current market conditions.
As the summer travel season progresses, stakeholders in Cyprus' tourism and aviation sectors will be closely monitoring passenger traffic trends. The hope is that the decline observed in June is a sign of recovery, paving the way for a more stable and prosperous second half of the year.