Michael had been replying to questions on a report by daily “Phileleftheros” that people have been arriving in Cyprus by private aircraft in recent days.

“What I can tell you is that all the people who came by private aircraft were on board special flights for the transport of patients who had undergone surgery or other patients from hospitals abroad,” he said.

He added that only one person, arriving by private jet, had applied to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health submitted all documents and following that the Transport Ministry was notified and granted permission for the aircraft to land, adding that the person was then transported to quarantine.

Asked whether that person had been confined in a quarantine place designated by the state, he said that was the case.

Replying to a question as to whether there are any more requests by private aircraft to land to Cyprus, Michael said that “we have no other request until this moment.”

He further clarified that prior to submitting a request to the Ministry of Transport to allow a flight to land in Cyprus, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health must give their approval following the submission of the necessary documentation.

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On the basis of the results of the Passengers Survey, released by the Cyprus Statistical Service, arrivals of tourists reached 85,622 in January 2020 compared to 81,970 in January 2019, recording an increase of 4.5%.

January 2020 had the highest volume of tourist arrivals ever recorded in Cyprus during the specific month, the Statistical Service says.
Tourist arrivals from Israel increased by 58% in January 2020 compared to January 2019 while an increase of 91.9% was also recorded for tourists from Ukraine.

On the other hand, tourist arrivals from the UK, Greece and Russia recorded a drop. Specifically, 4.7% less tourists from the UK visited Cyprus, 18.1% less tourists arrived from Greece and 4.6% less tourists came from Russia this January compared to January last year.  

The United Kingdom constituted the main source of tourism for Cyprus in January 2020, with a proportion of 26.1%.  Arrivals from Israel comprise16% of total arrivals, from Greece 10.7% and from Russia 8.8%.

When asked the purpose of their visit, 57.6% of tourists participating in the survey said they were visiting the island on holiday, 22.9% were here to visit friends and relatives and for 19.2% were arriving in Cyprus for business.

More Cypriot residents travelled abroad this January
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On the basis of the results of the Passengers Survey, 134,507 residents of Cyprus returned from a trip abroad in January 2020 compared to 119,570 in the January 2019, recording an increase of 12.5%.

In January 2020 there was an increase of 10.2% in the trips of residents to Greece reaching 38,767 compared to 35,190 in January 2019 and an 8.1% increase to the United Kingdom  reaching 19,669 compared to 18,198 last year.

Source: CNA

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