For most Europeans, travel is a convenience. For island communities, it’s a lifeline. Few places illustrate this more powerfully than Cyprus, where aviation doesn’t merely support mobility, it sustains economic vitality, family ties, and the very rhythm of daily life. And at the centre of that story sits Cyprus Airways, an iconic national brand with a legacy spanning decades, entering a new era of ambition, resilience and purpose.
Speaking with CEO Thanos Pascalis, it becomes clear that connectivity is not an abstract policy concept for him. It is something lived, felt, and witnessed every day.
“For Cyprus, connectivity is fundamental to economic and social life,” Pascalis says. “As the national carrier, we see daily how essential reliable air links are for residents, businesses, and visitors who depend on aviation as the primary bridge to Europe and to the wider world.”
The stories that stay with him most are not about aircraft or business metrics; they are human ones. “What remains with us are the personal moments – families reunited, medical travel made possible, and citizens returning home in times of uncertainty. These experiences reinforce that our mission extends far beyond transport: it is about safeguarding access, opportunity, and cohesion for an island community. They reflect our promise of Cypriot hospitality and reliability.”
This mindset, viewing aviation as a service rather than merely a system, is shaping Cyprus Airways’ trajectory at a pivotal moment for the country.
A presidency, a platform, and a responsibility
At the start of January, Cyprus stepped into the Presidency of the Council of the EU. It’s an opportunity Pascalis believes comes with a unique responsibility: to champion the realities of islands and remote regions whose voices are too often overshadowed in European debates about mobility.
“The Presidency offers Cyprus a valuable platform to highlight the distinct challenges faced by the island and other remote regions,” Pascalis explains. “We hope to see a strong emphasis on ensuring resilient, year-round connectivity and on shaping EU policies that reflect the structural realities of geographic remoteness, regional transportation, competitiveness, and survivability.”
As an operator serving scheduled services throughout the year, Cyprus Airways directly experiences these realities and supports the Presidency’s call for dependable air links as a pillar of European cohesion and fair competition.
For a continent balancing environmental targets, capacity constraints, and declining access in some regions, this perspective is timely and necessary.
“We want Europe to see us as more than an airline. We are a facilitator of mobility, a supporter of tourism and trade, and a contributor to Europe’s broader connectivity landscape.”
The spirit of Cyprus reflected in an airline
This moment of renewed visibility also gives Cyprus Airways the chance to introduce itself anew to Europe and to travellers seeking reliability, hospitality, and meaningful connection.
“Cyprus Airways embodies the resilience and outward-looking spirit of our island. Our ambition is to be a modern, reliable, and forward-thinking carrier that connects Cyprus to Europe with pride and purpose,” Pascalis adds.
Yet he sees the airline’s role as more than simply moving people from point A to point B. “We want Europe to see us as more than an airline. We are a facilitator of mobility, a supporter of tourism and trade, and a contributor to Europe’s broader connectivity landscape. Our renewed fleet, strengthened network, and focus on service excellence all reflect this commitment.”
Today the airline operates a growing network linking Larnaca with key European destinations including Greece, France, Italy, and the wider Eastern Mediterranean, supported by the fuel-efficient Airbus A220 fleet designed for regional connectivity and enhanced passenger comfort.
A call for a stronger future for regional aviation
With many European regions facing shrinking air services, Pascalis is confident about what must change to keep remote communities connected.
He envisions a Europe where regulations recognise the essential role of regional and island connectivity and are tailored to support it, where incentives encourage airlines to renew fleets and adopt new technologies, and where airports are upgraded to accommodate next-generation, lower-emission operations.
He also stresses that European infrastructure must evolve alongside airline investments, creating a system that shares responsibility across all stakeholders rather than penalising airlines alone.
“Stronger support in these areas would help ensure that remote regions remain fully integrated into Europe’s economic and social fabric,” Pascalis says.
For Cyprus Airways, the message is clear: aviation policy must keep pace with the urgency of the challenges facing island and peripheral communities.
The sustainability frontier
Cyprus Airways has made sustainability a defining pillar of its strategy. Not just because Europe demands it, but because island airlines stand to benefit from leading the transition.
“Regional airlines can be early enablers of sustainable aviation, thanks to their route structures and operational agility and equipment used. They are well positioned to introduce next-generation aircraft and implement advanced digital efficiencies”, the CEO emphasises.
He points to the Airbus A220 – now a cornerstone of the fleet – as an example of investment aligned with ambition. “At Cyprus Airways, sustainability is central to our long-term strategy. Our use of the fuel-efficient Airbus A220 aircraft significantly reduces emissions and noise, and we are expanding initiatives in operational optimisation, weight reduction, and digitalisation.”
But he adds one final note that reflects both pragmatism and purpose: “Our goal is clear: to contribute meaningfully to Europe’s decarbonisation efforts while ensuring the long-term resilience of our national carrier.”
A carrier with a purpose
As Cyprus prepares to take a leading seat at Europe’s table, its national airline is doing the same, carrying the aspirations of an island long looking beyond its shores.
In a landscape where regional voices often struggle to be heard, Cyprus Airways is stepping up as both advocate and example: resilient, community-minded and ready to shape the future of island connectivity.