Cyprus leads European aviation expenditure share and records high air travel volume

Cyprus currently holds the highest position in Europe regarding the share of air travel expenditure within the consumer spending basket. According to 2025 Eurostat data, air travel accounts for 2.12% of the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices, meaning approximately €2.12 per €100 spent. This figure surpasses other nations like Iceland, Greece, Norway, France, and Malta, reflecting the island's unique reliance on air connectivity for travel and essential logistics.

Separately, Eurostat reported that in 2024, air travel accounted for 25.3% of total passenger-kilometers in Cyprus, placing it third among EU member states, behind Croatia at 45.6% and Bulgaria at 30.3%. Across the European Union, passenger cars remained the dominant mode of transport with 69.2% of the 6.13 trillion passenger-kilometers, despite a slight one-percentage-point decline. Total aviation activity across the EU rose to 15.8% in 2024, continuing a broader trend where rail usage also showed gradual growth. The Eurostat data underscores the significant role of air transport in the mobility profile of island nations compared to mainland European counterparts.