Above 7 million passenger traffic is expected in Cyprus in 2022, Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Yiannis Karousos said, adding that passenger arrivals are up 50% compared to 2021, while at the same time this year there are 50% more seats on aircraft compared to last year.
In his speech at a workshop on "State Measures to Support Entrepreneurship and Funding Opportunities" held last night by the Famagusta OEB Committee at the event hall of Ayia Napa Marina, Mr. Karousos referred to tourism and said that "the best support we can give is to make sure that there is air connectivity and through tourism."
He added that "actions have been taken for air connectivity and strengthening the sector for a smooth recovery from the effects of the pandemic. At the same time, several steps were taken by the government, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of State for Tourism to increase connectivity, with positive results."
He explained that "Cyprus had the smallest decrease in direct connectivity in all of Europe during the pandemic, and despite the impact of the pandemic, in 2021 the number of destinations with which Cyprus has air connectivity increased to 158 from 150 in 2019, which was a milestone year for tourism and passenger traffic."
He also noted that "an Incentive Plan was granted to airlines to deal with the effects of the pandemic and the Plan was extended until the end of June 2022, at a total cost of €6.13 million. It is estimated that it will be used by 60 airlines, while the development of other sponsorships to address the consequences of the war in Ukraine is also being promoted."
Mr. Karousos described "the transfer of bases of Skyexpress and Wizz Air airlines to Cyprus and the support of other airlines as an important development. At the same time, the airlines' flight schedules were expanded with the inclusion of important destinations in their flight schedules."
At the same time, he continued, "there are now flights available at convenient times to airports such as Brussels Central, Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse and Strasbourg. Connectivity with France has also been enhanced as there are flights to five cities in the country."
[/P]In his speech, the Transport Minister also said that "estimates for 2022 were for passenger traffic to Cyprus of around 9 million passengers, however the estimate was reduced to 7.5 million following the tragic developments with Russia's invasion of Ukraine," he said, noting that "passenger arrivals are up 50% compared to 2021."
At the same time, he continued, "flights to major tourist markets such as Germany, with 42 flights per week, Austria with 26 flights per week, Poland with 25, France with 20, Switzerland with 17, Sweden with 22, Denmark with 15, Hungary with 15 and the Netherlands with 9 flights per week have increased or remained at the same number. There are also 50% more seats compared to 2021 and our goal is to increase average occupancy beyond 70%."
According to Mr. Karousos, "the government has moved to liberalize the airport ground handling market, which will improve competitiveness and reduce airline costs significantly."
Regarding the Declaration on Air Connectivity, the Transport Minister said that "this is a Cyprus initiative that will be co-signed during a conference in Ayia Napa in the coming months by 13 other member states of the European Union. The aim is to agree on measures and find tools to finance and enhance connectivity, as well as to safeguard air connectivity due to changes resulting from the Fit55 action."
In his speech, Mr Karousosos also referred to the ports of Cyprus and the anchorages of Ayia Napa Marina and Paralimni Marina as well as the Decrees for the creation of port areas for cruise ships. "The Cruise Ship Incentive Plan will also be implemented nationwide in the year 2022," he said.
Source: CNA
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