A 4.5% increase was observed in the first half of the year, compared to the same period last year, in the number of passengers arriving and departing from Larnaca and Paphos airports, said on Thursday Director of Aviation Development, Marketing and Communication at Hermes Airports, Maria Kouroupi.

In statements at Larnaca International Airport, Kouroupi stated that "July closed with approximately 1.5 million total passengers, which is about 1% more than last year."

However, she added, "overall, from January to July 2024, we have a 4.5% increase compared to the same period last year, as we are at 6.6 million total passengers, departing and arriving, at both airports in Cyprus."

She described this development as "very positive", noting that after last year's significant increase, "this year, despite all the adverse conditions and the difficult start to the year, we see that there is a substantial recovery."

Replying to a question if Cypriots are travelling abroad or choosing to stay within the country, Kouroupi said that "July and August are the months when Cypriots travel a lot."

This year, she noted, "there are more trips compared to previous years, and this was recorded in the passenger survey we carried out which shows a percentage increase in Cypriot travel during the summer period."