Cyprus Airways is actively pursuing strategic partnerships to enhance connectivity to and from Cyprus, with new travel options via Dubai, Paris, and Athens expected to be announced before the end of 2025, CEO Thanos Pascalis revealed in an interview with CBN.
Pascalis confirmed that the airline recently launched an interline partnership with Air India, enabling seamless travel between four to five Indian cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, and Larnaka. Passengers can also book onward connections to Western European destinations such as Paris and Milan.
“Cyprus Airways is actively exploring several strategic partnerships to enhance connectivity to and from Cyprus. As a result, we will soon be offering new travel options via Dubai, Paris, and Athens,” Pascalis said. He added that further cooperation agreements are under consideration.
The airline welcomed its fourth Airbus A220-300 aircraft, which Pascalis described as “one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the sky,” emitting significantly less CO₂ and operating with lower noise levels. Environmental initiatives include recycling, optimized flight routes, reduced onboard weight, and a plastic reduction programme.
Cyprus Airways Group also entered the aviation training sector last year with an academy based at Larnaka Airport. Pascalis noted that the school is licensed to the highest standards and aims to supply well-trained pilots amid a global shortage, while attracting international trainees to Cyprus.
On route expansion, Pascalis said Venice was launched successfully with a summer schedule, and flights to Heraklion, Crete, will begin as an all-year-round route. The airline plans to expand services to Paris and Milan, transitioning from seasonal to year-round operations.
Looking ahead, Cyprus Airways aims to strengthen its presence in both European and Middle Eastern markets by 2026. Pascalis emphasized the need for more proactive state incentives for air carriers, noting that while the government and airports offer incentives for new routes and traffic volume, the playing field is not always level.
Why it matters
For tour operators and DMCs, the planned new connections via Dubai, Paris, and Athens, combined with the Air India interline deal, could significantly improve access to Cyprus from key source markets in India, the Gulf, and Europe. The shift to year-round routes to destinations like Heraklion, Paris, and Milan supports efforts to reduce Cyprus’s heavy summer seasonality, offering travel trade partners more balanced inventory. The airline’s fleet modernisation with fuel-efficient A220s and its training academy also signal long-term operational stability, which is critical for bedbanks and investors evaluating airlift reliability.
