Flight Delayed or Cancelled in Cyprus? EU261 Rights at Larnaca and Paphos
On an island, almost every trip starts with a flight, so delays at Larnaca or Paphos can derail a whole holiday or business trip. Cyprus is an EU member, and EU261 applies to flights leaving its airports and to EU airlines flying in from outside the EU.
Main airports and airlines in Cyprus
The two main airports are Larnaca (LCA) and Paphos (PFO). Cyprus Airways and TUS Airways are local airlines, while Aegean, Wizz Air, Ryanair and many others connect Cyprus with Europe and the Middle East.
When EU261 applies to flights in Cyprus
EU261, the EU's air passenger rights law, generally applies when:
- You depart from an airport in Cyprus, on any airline. That includes flights from Larnaca to the Middle East on non-EU airlines.
- You fly into Cyprus from outside the EU on an airline licensed in the EU. An EU airline flying into Larnaca from, for example, Tel Aviv or Dubai is covered.
This guide covers the airports of Larnaca and Paphos.
Delays: care, re-routing and refunds
The airline must offer care (food and drink, two calls or emails, and a hotel with transfers if an overnight stay is needed) after a 2-hour delay on flights up to 1,500 km (Larnaca to Athens, about 930 km), 3 hours on flights within the EU over 1,500 km or other flights of 1,500 to 3,500 km (Larnaca to Frankfurt, about 2,640 km), and 4 hours on longer flights (a long-haul flight over 3,500 km). If the delay reaches 5 hours, you may give up the trip and request a refund. For a cancellation, the airline must let you pick a refund or re-routing.
The fixed amounts in the regulation
EU261 also lists fixed amounts tied to distance, not ticket price: €250, €400 or €600 per passenger. They are relevant when you reach your final destination 3+ hours late, your flight is cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, or you are bumped. The airline can halve the €600 amount in some cases when arrival is within 4 hours of schedule. What applies to you depends on the facts.
Extraordinary circumstances and local disruptions
An airline can refuse the fixed amounts if it proves extraordinary circumstances: events beyond its control, like dangerous weather, ATC decisions or strikes, or security alerts. Ordinary technical problems and walkouts by its own employees have generally not qualified at the EU Court of Justice. Meals and hotels are still required. Security-related airspace restrictions in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East can disrupt flights to and from Cyprus. These are typically treated as extraordinary circumstances, but the airline must still provide care and offer re-routing or a refund.
Where to complain in Cyprus
Write to the airline first and keep a copy. If that does not resolve it, contact the national enforcement body in the country where the problem happened. Cyprus's national enforcement body is the Department of Civil Aviation (Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works) in Nicosia. You can reach the passenger rights team at passengerrights@dca.mcw.gov.cy, and its website is mcw.gov.cy.
Coming in 2027: Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 amends EU261. Most changes apply from 23 October 2027, including a general nine-month deadline for compensation requests. Until then, the current rules above apply.
FAQ
Is a flight from Larnaca to Dubai on a non-EU airline covered? Yes. EU261 covers every flight departing from Cyprus, whatever the airline.
My flight was cancelled because of airspace closures. What can I ask for? A refund or re-routing, plus meals and a hotel if needed. The fixed amounts may not apply if the closure is accepted as extraordinary.
Who enforces EU261 in Cyprus? The Department of Civil Aviation. Contact the airline first, then the department.
Related guides
- EU261 guide (en español)
- Flight cancelled: your options
- Missed connection guide
- All Europe flight delay guides
Create your letter
Delay Draft writes a clear letter you send to the airline yourself ($9.99 for 1 to 2 travelers, $24.99 for 3 to 6). We are not a law firm and do not file claims for you. Questions: claims@delaydraft.com.