Cyprus and Greece Witness Passenger Traffic Surge from Israel in 2025, Boosted by the Air Connectivity and Cruise Tourism Opportunities

Published on December 30, 2025

The air traffic information available from Israel in 2025 reflected a significant rise in passenger departure flights, especially to Cyprus and Greece, indicating increasing appeal among passengers for flights between Israel and other countries in the Mediterranean. Greece has continued to emerge as a prime destination, while Cyprus has shown significant momentum as a crucial hub for passengers from Israel.

Greece Tops Passenger Rankings, Cyprus Rising Fast

According to Israel Airports Authority (IAA) data, over 2.2 million passengers flew from Israeli airports — primarily from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv — to Greece in 2025, confirming the country’s top position for Israeli departures. Greece’s leading performance in the rankings is attributed to its high-frequency flights, an extensive network of direct connections to popular destinations like Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete, Rhodes, Kos, and Santorini, and sustained demand for both tourism and business travel.

However, while Greece remained at the top, Cyprus emerged as a rising star, securing fourth place globally with 1.2 million passengers from Israel. Cyprus also ranks first worldwide in the number of weekly flights operated from Israeli airports, further cementing its role as a key player in the region’s tourism growth.

Cyprus: A Strategic Hub for Israeli Travelers

The surge in Cyprus-bound traffic is particularly noteworthy, with the country now leading the global rankings in weekly flight frequency. With up to 186 weekly flights from Tel Aviv and Haifa, Cyprus has rapidly become one of the most accessible destinations for Israeli travelers, positioning itself as a central tourism hub. This increase in flight frequency is expected to fuel future growth in both tourism numbers and the local economy, as it creates new opportunities for businesses and tourism infrastructure.

The focus on high-frequency flights, combined with Cyprus’ reputation for affordable travel, beaches, and cultural offerings, ensures the country remains an attractive destination. As air connectivity between Israel and Cyprus continues to improve, both leisure tourism and business tourism are set to see continued growth, further contributing to the economic development of the region.

A Thriving Relationship: Greece, Cyprus, and Israel’s Tourism Growth

The continued success of both Greece and Cyprus in the Israeli tourism market reflects a broader trend of increased tourism cooperation and expanding air connections between these countries. As Israel’s tourism demand grows, particularly among high-net-worth travelers seeking cultural, wellness, and beach tourism experiences, Cyprus and Greece are positioned to benefit from a steady influx of visitors.

This tripartite relationship between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus is set to foster tourism growth by leveraging regional strengths. Greece’s established reputation as a cultural and leisure tourism hub and Cyprus’ rising prominence in cruise tourism, coupled with their proximity to Israel, will ensure that these destinations continue to lead the way in Mediterranean tourism.

Future Travel and Tourism Growth: New Opportunities in the Mediterranean

Looking forward, the future growth of tourism between Israel, Cyprus, and Greece is set to expand in several key ways:

1. Increased Air Connectivity: With Cyprus becoming a more prominent hub and Greece maintaining its leadership position, travelers from Israel will have more flight options, making the Mediterranean even more accessible. As new routes are added and flight frequencies increase, both destinations will likely see greater tourism flows.
2. Expansion of Cruise Tourism: Cyprus is already a key destination in the growing cruise tourism market in the Mediterranean. As Israel’s cruise tourism sector continues to thrive, Cyprus and Greece stand to benefit from an increasing number of cruise arrivals and shore excursions, offering new business opportunities in local ports and tourism services.
3. Diversification of Tourism Experiences: The focus on high-end tourism, including wellness, medical tourism, and cultural heritage, will be a central theme in future growth. Both Cyprus and Greece are already enhancing their wellness tourism infrastructure and cultural offerings, ensuring they remain competitive in the luxury travel sector.
4. Sustainability and Innovation: The future of cruise tourism and air travel in the region will likely be shaped by sustainable practices. Both Cyprus and Greece are increasingly focused on eco-friendly initiatives and responsible tourism, ensuring that tourism growth doesn’t compromise the natural environment. As Israel’s tourism demand continues to grow, sustainable tourism practices will be key in maintaining long-term growth in the region.

A Bright Future for Cyprus and Greece in Israeli Tourism

The steadily rising flow of passengers between Israel, Cyprus, and Greece indicates not only the ongoing success achieved in the sector but also the future success and potential it holds within the Mediterranean tourism sector. The key player in the increased role of Cyprus within the Israeli tourism sector and the dominance shown by the Mediterranean powerhouse, Greece, indicates that the future for tourism development in this sector is indeed bright and full of promise. The overall strategic framework provided in the sector, targeting high-value tourists and those who promote sustainability and innovation in tourism, indicates a very successful future within the Mediterranean tourism sector.