Flying to Cyprus

General Information

The island of Cyprus has three commercial airports: Paphos and Larnaca in the south for the Republic of Cyprus, plus Nicosia in the north for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. While the latter almost exclusively handles flights from Turkey, the other two have extensive international operations. In short, these are the airports through which the vast majority of visitors arrive by air.

With over 5 million passengers per year (5.3 million in 2014), Larnaca Airport is the largest and traditionally hosts scheduled airlines, though charter and seasonal flights are also present. Less busy, with half as many passengers (2.2 million in 2013), Paphos Airport remains an important gateway for tourists drawn to the beaches in this part of Cyprus. This is why its traffic is largely made up of seasonal, charter, and low-cost flights, particularly from the United Kingdom.

Types of Flights

Local Airlines

Following the closure of Cyprus Airways in early 2015, the Republic of Cyprus had no national airline for a time—until the same company re-emerged two years later. For a brief period, the country had no carriers of its own until the launch of Tus Airways in July 2015.

Charters, Scheduled, and Low-Cost Flights

Cyprus is one of Europe’s top destinations for charter and seasonal flights. These make up the bulk of traffic at Paphos. Beyond that, scheduled flights (mostly to Larnaca) and low-cost options, such as easyJet and Ryanair, are also available.

Deals and Special Offers

Beyond low-cost fares, Cyprus—as a charter-heavy tourist destination—offers numerous promotions and special rates. These can be found through airlines or travel agencies, sometimes bundled with other services alongside airfare.

From Europe (and Beyond)

From France

Since Cyprus isn’t yet a major tourist destination for French travelers, direct flights from Paris are limited: just one from Roissy to Larnaca (Aegean Airlines) and a seasonal Orly-Larnaca route (Transavia). For Paris-Larnaca, expect roughly 3h45 of flight time for 200 € to 350 € round-trip.

From the Regions

Only a few charters or seasonal flights operate from major French cities, plus a year-round easyJet service from Mulhouse/Basel.

Choosing Your Flight

Given the limited options from Paris or the regions, most flights involve a connection.

From the Rest of Europe

Year-round, Larnaca—and occasionally Paphos—has scheduled flights to major European cities. In season, countless charters and seasonal flights, primarily from the UK, Scandinavia, Germany, and Eastern Europe, bring waves of visitors to both airports, particularly Paphos.

Belgium & Luxembourg

Brussels: Paphos (Jetairfly and Thomas Cook, seasonal)

Charleroi: Paphos (Ryanair)

Switzerland

Basel/Mulhouse: Larnaca (easyJet)

Zurich: Larnaca (Edelweiss Air + Aegean Airlines and Helvetic Airways, seasonal)

From Elsewhere

Outside Europe, Cyprus’s airports connect mainly to the Middle East (Amman, Dubai, Beirut), Cairo, and especially Israel, where Cyprus is a popular holiday destination.