Cyprus Airways extends Prague service

Cyprus Airways announced that it will continue to operate flights to Václav Havel Airport Prague during the winter season. The airline started operating a route between Prague and Larnaca in June, as part of the summer schedule, with flights on Mondays and Fridays.

In the winter season, Cyprus Airways will offer flights on the same days but at different times.

The winter service to Larnaca will start Oct. 29 and last until March 29.

“We are extremely pleased to extend the range of our connections between Prague and Larnaca during the winter season. This success proves that the route has gained popularity in both the Cypriot and Czech markets,” Natalia Popova, commercial director of Cyprus Airways, said in a press release.

Larnaca is the third-largest city in Cyprus, after Nicosia and Limassol. Despite not being the capital, Larnaca is home to the island's largest international airport and is also the main seaport.

The addition of the route to the winter schedule fits in with Prague Airport's long-term plans to increase the number of destinations.

“Extending the traffic between Prague and Larnaca for the winter season confirms that this is a destination with an interesting potential, and passengers are interested in flights between the two countries. It is gratifying that the airline has decided [to extend service] two months after the start of regular flights. We expect that this service will carry approximately 17,000 passengers a year in both directions,” said Václav Řehoř, chairman of the board of Prague Airport, the company that operates Václav Havel Airport Prague.

Flights in the winter schedule on Mondays and Wednesdays leave Larnaca at 7 am and arrive in Prague at 9:35 am. Flights leave Prague at 10:35 am and arrive at Larnaca at 2:50 pm.

Round trip tickets from Prague to Larnaca start at EUR 160 including all taxes and fees.

Cyprus Airways offers two tariff categories: Basic and Flex. The Flex tariff includes additional services such as a larger luggage allowance and seat selection.

The Cyprus Airways name is old, but the current incarnation is relatively new. In July 2016, Cyprus-based Charlie Airlines agreed with the Ministry of Finance of Cyprus to take over the name and trademarks of Cyprus Airlines, after the previous operator went out of business. It had operated from 1947 to 2015 under different management.

The new company’s long-term goal is to contribute to an increase of tourism in Cyprus, while at the same time broadening the horizon for local travelers, according to the carrier’s website. The fleet currently consists of one A319 aircraft with a capacity of 144 passengers.

Larnaca had a metro population of 144,200 in 2015. It is built on the ruins of ancient Citium, which was the birthplace of Stoic philosopher Zeno.