The bankruptcy of German travel giant FTI Group has caused a potential shortfall of 30,000 bookings for Cyprus’ tourism industry. Hoteliers are facing uncertainty as tens of thousands of future bookings are at risk due to FTI’s collapse. The German market, an important source for Cypriot tourism, is further impacted by this situation, which could also affect Austria and Switzerland where the group operated.
Wizz Air is celebrating its 20th anniversary next month and has been a key player in Cyprus’ aviation industry since establishing a base at Larnaca International Airport in 2010. The airline has received awards for its environmental practices and sustainability efforts. In 2023, Wizz Air played a significant role in Cyprus’ record-breaking tourist season by transporting passengers from various key markets. The airline increased its seat capacity by 70% in 2023 and is estimated to have injected €200 million into the Cypriot economy. Wizz Air holds the leading position for passenger numbers at Larnaca Airport and is set to offer 1.3 million seats on 25 routes to 16 countries from Cyprus in 2024. The airline’s presence has created 130 direct jobs and is estimated to support an additional 5,500 jobs in related sectors.