Carriers are being invited to submit proposals for financially-supported services to Cyprus from Germany, Ireland and Italy, in a bid to increase tourism traffic to the Mediterranean island.

The assistance is being touted by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation which has released details of an €18 million ($25 million) air route development support scheme.

It has committed to offering three years' funding to subsidise start-up and marketing costs for airlines seeking to open new services to Larnaca and Paphos, or expand current links. The scheme has been approved by the European Commission.

To qualify, a proposed new service must not have been operated in the previous 12 months and carriers must be prepared to offer at least a twice-weekly frequency.

An expanded service, on the other hand, must have had fewer than 210 arrivals over the previous year. A carrier must be prepared to offer at least three flights per week and expand capacity by 50%.

Under the scheme a new service must be operated for at least five years. This means carriers must supply a comprehensive business plan showing that the route can be sustained for at least two years beyond the funded three-year term.

For further details please contact Cyprus Tourism on destination profiles through Routesonline.