Air traffic in Cyprus will exceed 9 million passengers this year, despite the disruption in travel due to the war in Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions impost by the west against Russia, Eleni Kalogirou, Chief Executive Officer Hermes Airports, the operator of Cyprus’ two international airports, has said.

“We have been in a growth trajectory since the beginning of the year, despite the disruption which emerged such as the invasion of Ukraine and the ensuring sanctions imposed (on Russia) by the EU member-states,” Kalogirou said speaking to CNA.

She added that in the months of the summer, traffic in Cyprus two airports exceeded 1 million per month, while this growth trajectory is expected to continue until the end of the year.

“We estimate that traffic will exceed 9 million passengers in both airports by the end of the year,” Kalogirou added, noting that this “is not a result of coincidence.”

“We have developed a framework of actions and incentives to attract air carriers, while we were in constant contacts with airliners,” she said.

Kalogirou also said that “the strengthening of Cyprus’ attractiveness as a tourist destination and the increased air connectivity have decisively contributed in shaping this growth course and constitute our strategic targets for the implementation of which we are collaborating closely with tourist stake holders.”

She also said that the increased air traffic did not lead to any operational problems in Cyprus’ airports.

“The images of chaos seen in airports to the EU and America, due to staff shortages have not affected the Cypriot airports contributing to passenger’s experience both in arrival and departure,” Kalogirou added.