Cyprus is pressing the European Commission to recognize its airports as essential territorial infrastructure in the ongoing revision of state aid guidelines for aviation. With Larnaca and Paphos airports handling a record 10.7 million passengers in 2025, air travel is the island's sole link to Europe, crucial for its economy and tourism. The government's position highlights the risk of geographic and economic isolation due to proposed cuts in public funding and the elimination of start-up incentives for new routes.

The Commission plans to tighten rules by limiting operating aid to smaller airports and removing incentives, arguing the market can open new routes without state help. Cyprus counters this approach by proposing six specific measures, including extending transition periods until 2035 for green adjustments, maintaining route incentives for islands, adopting a passengers-per-inhabitant criterion, and easing proximity checks. These proposals aim to prevent increased costs that would burden passengers and harm the vital tourism sector.

With the new guidelines expected by early 2027, Cyprus is actively engaging in the public consultation phase to ensure its unique geographic circumstances are considered. Failure to protect its air connectivity could impact tourism, students, and workers, underscoring aviation's role as critical infrastructure akin to continental motorways and railways.