Paphos flights to continue following suspension due to security concerns

The move is expected to significantly bolster tourism in the region, with Israeli visitors being a key market for the city.

Thanos Michaelides, chairman of the Paphos hotel association, expressed optimism about the flights’ potential to attract more tourists to Paphos. He noted that Israel is the second-largest tourist market for the region, trailing only the United Kingdom. This resurgence in connectivity is anticipated to boost tourism numbers and enhance the local economy.

Christos Angelides, director of the Cyprus Hotel Association (Pasyxe), further emphasized the importance of Israeli tourists, projecting that approximately 1.3 million visitors from Israel would visit Cyprus in 2025. He added that Paphos alone typically receives around 25% of these tourists, underscoring the city’s significance as a destination for Israeli travelers.

Nasos Hadjigeorgiou, head of the Paphos Tourist Board, confirmed to the Cyprus News Agency that flights would begin resuming in March, starting with Israeli airline El Al on March 8. This will be followed by Arkia Airlines on March 15 and Ryanair on March 30. The resumption of flights is expected to help reinvigorate the local tourism industry, which has been impacted by recent disruptions.

Preparations for the incoming flights are already underway. Hermes Airports, which manages Paphos International Airport, has reportedly begun setting up security infrastructure to handle passengers traveling from Tel Aviv and Haifa. Sources revealed that security machinery is being moved into place at pre-check areas to accommodate the expected influx of travelers.

Flights between Paphos and Israel had been suspended since the end of January due to unspecified security concerns, following an order from Israel’s Shin Bet security services. While no specific details have been provided regarding these security issues, Hermes Airports clarified that the situation is being monitored and that operations will resume as planned.

With the scheduled resumption of flights in March, Paphos looks forward to regaining a significant number of visitors from Israel, reinforcing its status as a key tourism hub in the Mediterranean region.