One of the most significant trips with multifaceted interest—tourism, economic, and investment—has been undertaken by Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades, accompanied by senior officials. He departed two days ago for distant India, where he will finalize the direct air connection between Cyprus and India.

Launch Likely in 2026

The timeline for establishing direct flights between Cyprus and the vast Asian country is currently set for the summer of 2026. Minister Vafeades is visiting India to hold meetings with relevant authorities, tourism officials, and India’s Minister of Transport, Pankaj Kumar Singh. These discussions will address all technical details and operational parameters of the direct route.

The new flight connection is expected to pave the way for investments, strengthen economic and business relations between the two countries, and significantly increase tourist arrivals from India, generating substantial revenue for Cyprus.

Modi’s Visit as a Prelude

The initiative for a direct air link was foreshadowed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Cyprus in June. During his official meetings with President Christodoulides, the “skies opened,” as the joint declaration signed between the two nations made specific reference to tourism and the launch of direct flights.

Currently, traveling from Larnaca to major Indian cities—New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata—takes over 16 hours. Journeys typically include one layover, most commonly via Dubai, and sometimes an additional stop. The direct distance between Larnaca and India is approximately 4,005 kilometers.