Cyprus is reinforcing its aviation and tourism links with both Greece and the United Kingdom, as Cyprus Airways launches a new year-round route to Heraklion, Crete, while Jet2 announces a new London Gatwick–Paphos connection starting in 2026.

Cyprus Airways has officially inaugurated a new direct flight connecting Larnaca and Heraklion, significantly enhancing air connectivity between Cyprus and Crete.

The route will operate throughout the year, with flights scheduled:

• Fridays at 17:30 (local time), starting 19 December 2025

• Mondays at 10:00 (local time), starting 22 December 2025

Commenting on the launch, Cyprus Airways CEO Thanos Paschalis described the new route as a key milestone in the airline’s European expansion strategy.

“Heraklion is one of Greece’s most important cultural and tourism hubs, attracting both business and leisure travellers,” Paschalis said, adding that the connection reflects the airline’s commitment to affordable, reliable travel options and long-term growth.

The Larnaca–Heraklion service becomes another year-round destination in the Cyprus Airways network, joining existing routes to Athens, Milan, Paris, Beirut, Dubai and Tel Aviv, while reinforcing the carrier’s strong presence in the Greek market.

At the same time, Cyprus’ air links with the United Kingdom are set to expand further. According to the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Jet2 will introduce a new London Gatwick–Paphos route in 2026.

The weekly service will begin on 30 March 2026, increasing to twice weekly flights every Monday and Thursday from May. The route forms part of broader efforts to strengthen tourist arrivals to Paphos, one of Cyprus’ most popular destinations for the UK market.