The first flight took off from Larnaka to Athens this morning signaling the resumption of operations of Cyprus airports, which have been closed since March 21 due to measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
In statements at Larnaka airport, Transport, Communications and Works Minister Yiannis Karousos expressed his satisfaction.
In particular, about 132 passengers were on board an Aegean flight to Athens at 0800 hours local time, while an Israir flight with 22 passengers landed at about 1030 hours and another flight from Athens carrying 140 passengers landed at 1210 hours.
Karousos was there to welcome the first passengers from Tel Aviv and Athens noting that all government departments have worked hard to prepare for the opening of airports.
He said that procedures will improve and the lists of countries where tourists may arrive from will change according to the most current data.
Asked to explain where he based his recent statements that in August approximately 600 thousand people will visit Cyprus, Karousos said that predictions have been made for passengers not tourists, adding that passenger data are different to tourist data.
“We estimate that during the first month about 1,000 passengers per day will arrive, therefore 30,000 per month, in the second month about 200,000 passengers, the third month 400,000 passengers and after four months about 600,000 passengers,” he said.
For the first two months, he continued about 30% of passenger traffic will be tourists, adding that everything will also depend on the countries included in list A. Passengers arriving from countries included in category A do not require to have any health certificate.
He also said that interest has been expressed from Holland and France while recently an airline has included in its flight program, flights from Denmark and Germany which Cyprus did not previously have a direct connection to.
From June 20 onward, he added, passengers arriving from countries included in category A will not have to have a health certificate to travel, but all passengers will have to fill in an online questionnaire in order to be allowed to travel.
On her part, Hermes Airports CEO Eleni Kaloyirou also expressed her satisfaction for the resumption of flights.
“We are optimistic,” she said, adding that 20 airlines have already planned flights from and to Cyprus’ airports and expressed he belief that as time goes on and as countries are re-evaluated more companies will be added in the list of airlines flying to the island.
Source countries are divided into categories A and B and it is mentioned that as from June 20, travelers from countries included in category A will not need a health certificate for COVID-19. Travelers from category B countries are required to have a PCR test certificate at the source country 72 hours prior to travel. If their country is unable to make a PCR testing widely available to the public, compulsory testing will be required upon arrival at Cyprus airports, at a cost of 60 euros per person. The results will be available up to 24 hours later, so in the meantime travelers will be asked to self-isolate at their booked accommodation.
Category A Countries: Malta, Greece, Bulgaria, Norway, Austria, Finland, Slovakia, Hungary, Israel, Denmark, Germany, Slovenia and Lithuania.
Category B Countries: Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Croatia, Estonia.
