Ryanair: A key partner in Cyprus' air connectivity

With a strong presence in the Cypriot market, Ryanair has long been a significant partner in enhancing the island’s air connectivity and a strategic ally in boosting tourism and economic openness. As an island nation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus fundamentally depends on consistent, year-round, and reliable air links with abroad — a need Ryanair has consistently met. Through an extensive route network and continuous investment in capacity and infrastructure, Ryanair plays a crucial role in maintaining Cyprus’ uninterrupted connection to Europe and beyond, all year round.

From 2010 to today

Ryanair began operations in Cyprus at the end of 2010, initially via Larnaca Airport, serving four destinations in 2011 and transporting around 100,000 passengers. The big leap came in 2012, when the airline established a base at Paphos Airport with two aircraft.

Since then, its presence has grown substantially. Today, four aircraft are stationed in Paphos, and over 40 destinations in 21 countries are served annually. In 2024 alone, Ryanair transported around 1.9 million passengers to and from Cyprus — representing nearly 50% of Paphos Airport’s total passenger traffic and around 15% of the country’s total air traffic.

Defying seasonality

In a market like Cyprus, where seasonality poses ongoing challenges for the sustainability and consistency of tourism flows, Ryanair’s operating model supports the island’s economy even during the quieter months.

The airline does not limit its operations to the busy summer period but maintains strong flight activity through the winter season as well, offering year-round connectivity.

In doing so, it acts as a catalyst for maintaining tourist momentum 12 months a year, offering destinations and travel options that sustain demand and stimulate local business and community activity — especially in regions like Paphos, which heavily rely on air traffic. Ryanair also provides diverse travel options for Cypriot residents heading abroad.

Sample routes from Paphos

Ryanair connects Paphos with 42 popular cities across 21 countries, including:

• London (Stansted)
• Athens
• Thessaloniki
• Rome (Ciampino)
• Chania
• Dublin
• Budapest
• Warsaw
• Zagreb
• Brussels (Charleroi)
• Tel Aviv
• Riga
• Milan (Bergamo)
• Amman
  ...and more

From Larnaca, Ryanair also operates year-round flights to Vienna.

(View the full flight schedule here)

Ryanair’s power across Europe

Ryanair is not just another airline. In the 2024 financial year, which ended in March 2025, Ryanair once again became Europe’s largest airline group by passenger volume, reaching 200.2 million passengers — the first airline ever to surpass that number in a single year.

The difference from the second-largest group, Lufthansa Group, exceeded 60 million passengers, while Ryanair carried 106 million more than easyJet, the second-largest low-cost group.

Ryanair Holdings PLC — the parent of Ryanair DAC, Buzz, Lauda Europe, Malta Air, and Ryanair UK — now operates:

• 600+ aircraft
  
• Across 250 airports in 37 countries
  
• With an order in progress for 300 Boeing 737 MAX-10s by 2034, offering 21% more capacity and 20% lower fuel consumption

The price transparency battle with online platforms

Ryanair recently made a bold move in favour of passengers by banning several online travel agents (OTAs) from selling its tickets. It accused them of charging up to 80% more than Ryanair's own prices for services like seat selection, baggage, and priority boarding — practices that harmed both Ryanair’s reputation and its competitive edge.

The airline also filed an official complaint, calling for these practices to be recognised as copyright infringement and misleading commercial behaviour, urging European authorities to enforce pricing transparency and consumer protection.

Now, Ryanair only allows specific approved OTAs to sell its tickets and services — all of which are listed in official announcements on its website.

Investing in direct passenger relationships

As part of its strategy to strengthen direct ties with travellers, Ryanair has pulled its flights from several major booking platforms. While this may temporarily impact revenues, it reflects a conscious decision to protect its pricing policy and ensure a transparent booking experience — offering the lowest fares exclusively via its own website and approved booking partners.

Aligned with this approach is Ryanair Prime, a new subscription service launched in select European markets. It aims to build traveller loyalty by offering exclusive perks and a more personalised booking experience — a step toward evolving the low-cost model into a more direct, customer-centric era. Although not yet available in Cyprus, it reflects the company’s commitment to innovation.

Ryanair prime highlights:

• Annual cost: €79
  
• Up to 12 flights per year (1/month)
  
• Reserved “prime” seat (if available)
  
• Travel insurance (delays, cancellations, lost luggage, medical coverage)
  
• Savings potential: up to 5× the subscription value
  

This service could soon expand to Cyprus, offering frequent travelers even more value.

A strategic alliance

Ryanair is not just a prominent air carrier in Cyprus — it is a cornerstone of the island’s air connectivity. Through its expansive network, commitment to low fares, and continuous investment in its Paphos base, Ryanair sustains tourism and business activity year-round.

Beyond the numbers and routes, Ryanair proves its role as a strategic partner, continually investing in innovation, transparency, and sustainable growth.