Company profile
Cyprus Airways is the flag carrier of the Republic of Cyprus, headquartered at Larnaca International Airport and operating scheduled flights from that single hub to major European and Middle Eastern cities. The brand traces back to the Cyprus national airline founded in 1947, which flew for almost seventy years and stopped commercial flying in January 2015. In July 2016 Charlie Airlines Ltd won a ten-year right to the Cyprus Airways brand in a public tender, obtained its air operator certificate on 1 June 2017 and resumed commercial flights from Larnaca International Airport, reconnecting Cyprus by air with Europe and the Middle East.
Cyprus Airways passed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) in 2018 and became an IATA member, and it is a member of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA). Ownership has changed several times: Arcosjet bought shares between 2021 and 2022 and reached full ownership, local investors took a minority stake in 2024 and a group of local investors became the controlling shareholder in 2025, returning the airline to mainly local ownership. The company employs about 200 people, carries about 400,000 to 600,000 passengers a year, serves 15 to 19 destinations and operates six Airbus aircraft.
For Chinese shippers the value of Cyprus Airways lies in its hub at the crossroads of the eastern Mediterranean. Larnaca sits where Europe, Asia and Africa meet and is a natural node for reaching Cyprus itself and for connecting to Israel, Lebanon and the Gulf markets. Cargo from China to Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean can transit a European or Middle Eastern gateway and join the Cyprus Airways belly network out of Larnaca. The airline flies no direct service from China to Larnaca, and cargo from China moves mainly on belly interline and charter capacity.
Cyprus is an EU member and Cyprus Airways operates in EU airspace; its Larnaca hub also splits Schengen and non-Schengen passengers. For cargo exported to Cyprus and re-exported through Cyprus to the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle Eastern coast, Larnaca offers an intermediate point between the European and Middle Eastern gateways, shortening the distance compared with routing through western Europe and giving time-critical cargo a different routing option.
| Carrier full name | Cyprus Airways (operated by Charlie Airlines Ltd) |
| Flag carrier status | Flag carrier of the Republic of Cyprus |
| Hub airport | Larnaca International Airport (IATA LCA) |
| History | Original brand founded 1947; operations ceased 2015; brand acquired by Charlie Airlines 2016; services resumed 1 June 2017 |
| Safety credentials | IOSA audit passed; IATA member; ERA member |
| Official website | cyprusairways.com |
Aircraft types and belly capacity
The Cyprus Airways fleet is six aircraft, four Airbus A220-300 and two Airbus A320-214, all single-aisle narrowbodies. Cargo capability is mainly passenger belly, with whole-aircraft capacity available through charters and wet lease (ACMI). The fleet is positioned for short and medium regional work, with sector lengths concentrated in southeast Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, matching the reach of the Larnaca hub.
Airbus A220-300
The A220-300 is the mainstay of the fleet, with four aircraft in service in several cabin layouts including 12 business and 110 economy, 9 business and 135 economy, 8 business and 130 economy, and 140 all-economy, adjustable to route and demand. The type has low engine noise, large cabin windows and strong short and medium-haul fuel efficiency. In belly-hold mode its lower deck takes general cargo, express and container-friendly loads, which suits supplementary cargo demand on short Larnaca to Europe and Middle East sectors.
Airbus A320-200
Two A320-214 aircraft are in service, in a single-class 180-seat economy layout, convertible when needed to 8 business and 168 economy. The type is the backbone of the short and medium-haul network, with a spacious cabin and commonality across the network. Its belly volume and payload are slightly larger than the A220, so it can carry more belly cargo in peak season or on high-load sectors, and it is an important part of the airline's belly capacity.
Belly cargo model
Cyprus Airways operates no freighter and carries cargo mainly in passenger bellies. The lower deck takes container-friendly cargo in the tonnage and volume left after passenger baggage and mail, and suits high-value, light to medium-density cargo with above-average transit needs, such as machinery parts, textiles and garments, e-commerce express, samples and general goods. Loads combine standard ULDs and loose hold space, and the tonnage and space available move with the passenger load factor; the carrier's confirmation on the booking day applies.
Charter and wet lease
The airline publicly offers charters and wet lease (ACMI): an A320-214 can fly 180 seats single class or 8 plus 168 in two classes, and the A220-300 in several layouts. For Chinese shippers, in the tourist peak, a seasonal cargo surge or a large shipment, a forwarder can request extra charter or wet-lease capacity from the carrier and use the belly and lower deck for cargo; aircraft configuration, schedule and capacity are subject to carrier confirmation.
Note: fleet numbers and cabin layouts are compiled from Cyprus Airways official public information. The fleet changes with leases and deliveries, and the carrier's confirmation on the booking day applies.
Connecting gateways and schedules from China
Cyprus Airways operates no scheduled direct service from a Chinese airport to Larnaca and has no direct cargo office in China. Cargo from China moves on an interline basis: export from a Chinese airport, transit at a European or Middle Eastern gateway, then into the Larnaca belly network. Cargo starts at main airports such as Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun and Beijing Capital, reaches gateways such as Paris, Milan and Dubai on a carrier operating China to Europe or the Middle East, and then interlines or is endorsed to a Cyprus Airways sector out of Larnaca for distribution to Cyprus and nearby markets.
| China origin ports | Transit gateway | Connection method | Schedule basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Pudong PVG | Paris CDG / Milan MXP / Dubai DXB | Arrival at the gateway on a China to Europe or Middle East service, then endorsement to a Cyprus Airways LCA sector | Times are local; schedules change with the season and are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking |
| Guangzhou Baiyun CAN | Dubai DXB / Milan MXP | South China cargo transits a Middle East or southern European gateway into the Larnaca belly network | Times are local; schedules change with the season and are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking |
| Beijing Capital/Daxing PEK/PKX | Paris CDG / Dubai DXB | North China cargo interlines to Larnaca through a European or Middle Eastern gateway | Times are local; schedules change with the season and are confirmed by the carrier on the day of booking |
| Shenzhen Bao'an SZX / Chengdu Tianfu TFU | Dubai DXB / Paris CDG | Pearl River Delta and Southwest China cargo transits a gateway to the eastern Mediterranean | Actual schedules vary with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking |
The table compiles published interline routings. The Chinese airport to gateway sector is operated by the carrier on that route, and the gateway to Larnaca sector by Cyprus Airways. Endorsement, air waybill continuity and through space between the two sectors must be coordinated at booking by a qualified international forwarder. Direct schedules from each airport to the gateway change with the season, and Cyprus Airways frequencies from the gateway to Larnaca rise and fall with the tourist season; the actual connection is subject to carrier confirmation on the booking day.
Note that Cyprus Airways has no direct cargo terminal or ground agent network in China, and Chinese shippers do not tender cargo to Cyprus Airways at a Chinese airport. Export clearance, security screening, tender and loading all take place at the Chinese airport, and the transit handover at the gateway is handled by the local ground agent together with the carrier. We can coordinate these interline routings for Chinese shippers, verify gateway transit space and prepare the through air waybill documents.
Countries served and interline scope
From Larnaca, Cyprus Airways scheduled routes serve Greece, Italy, France, Spain, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Israel, Lebanon and the UAE, covering southeast Europe, the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle Eastern coast. Main points include Athens and Heraklion in Greece, Milan Malpensa in Italy, Paris in France, Madrid and Barcelona in Spain, Prague in the Czech Republic, Zurich and Geneva in Switzerland, Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon and Dubai in the UAE. Through code shares and interline agreements the network extends to Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Muscat in Oman, Colombo in Sri Lanka, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Kathmandu in Nepal, Male in the Maldives and Astana in Kazakhstan.
For Chinese shippers the network directly serves exports to Cyprus itself and, through Cyprus, cargo to Israel, Lebanon, the Gulf Cooperation Council states and the eastern Mediterranean coast. Chinese machinery and electrical products, textiles and garments, consumer electronics, auto parts, light consumer goods and e-commerce parcels can transit a European or Dubai gateway into the Larnaca belly network and be distributed to those markets. As an EU and euro area member, Cyprus applies EU import clearance and trade rules, so cargo in the European trade chain can also be distributed regionally through Larnaca.
The map shows the connections from China to the eastern Mediterranean: gold solid lines are the main interline routings from Chinese airports through Dubai or a European gateway to Larnaca, and dark blue dashed lines are the transit sectors from China to the European gateway. Larnaca is the Cyprus Airways hub, and the thin lines radiating from it are Cyprus Airways routes to Europe and the Middle East. Cities served and schedules change with the season and follow the carrier's confirmation on the booking day.
Freight advantages for Chinese shippers
Eastern Mediterranean hub position
Larnaca lies where Europe, Asia and Africa meet and is closer to the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle Eastern coast than a routing through western Europe. Chinese cargo can reach Cyprus quickly through a gateway and radiate to Israel, Lebanon and the Gulf states, giving time-critical cargo a different routing option.
IOSA safety standard
The company has passed the IATA Operational Safety Audit and is an IATA member and an ERA member, with operating systems aligned to global aviation safety and quality standards. For Chinese shippers of precision and high-value cargo, carrier safety credentials give institutional backing to transport reliability.
Belly and charter capacity
Day to day, passenger bellies carry general cargo and express; in peak season or for large shipments, charter and wet-lease whole-aircraft capacity can be requested. The A220-300 and A320-200 configurations are flexible and space can be adjusted to the market, so capacity flexes with seasonal surges.
Alignment with EU trade rules
Cyprus is an EU and euro area member and the Larnaca hub applies EU import clearance and trade rules. Chinese cargo exported to the EU market, or needing distribution through the EU, can make the regional connection at this node in line with EU trade chain compliance.
Extended interline network
The company holds code shares and interline agreements with carriers such as Air France, and through partner networks covers points in the Gulf, South Asia and Central Asia. Chinese cargo can continue beyond Larnaca to Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuwait, Muscat, Colombo, Dhaka, Male and Astana.
Direct reach into regional markets
For Chinese exporters working the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle Eastern coast, the Larnaca belly network offers a steady channel into Cyprus itself and the smaller surrounding markets, reduces reliance on a single western European gateway and widens the routing options in the regional supply chain.
Booking path from China
Chinese shippers exporting to Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean on the Cyprus Airways belly network book through a qualified international forwarder. Because the airline has no direct service from a Chinese airport, the booking must lock space on both the Chinese airport to gateway sector and the gateway to Larnaca sector, with the agent arranging endorsement and the transit handover.
Provide cargo volume details
The shipper gives commodity, weight, volume, origin airport and destination point (Larnaca or a stop-over point) and the forwarder quotes.
Confirm the interline routing
The agent selects the European or Middle Eastern gateway, locks space on the China to gateway sector and the gateway to Larnaca sector, and issues the transport plan.
Delivery to the carrier and export declaration
Cargo is delivered as agreed to the freight terminal at the Chinese airport, cleared for export, screened and loaded, and arrives at the gateway.
Endorsement at the gateway
Cargo is handed over at the gateway, endorsed to the Cyprus Airways Larnaca sector and loaded in the passenger belly.
Arrival and distribution at Larnaca
Cargo is collected at Larnaca airport, or connects to local trucking for distribution in Cyprus and nearby markets.
We coordinate on your behalf
We can verify space on both sectors, prepare the through air waybill documents and coordinate the Chinese airport and gateway handover.
Documents and declaration: export bookings need a commercial invoice, packing list and declaration data; dangerous goods, lithium batteries and temperature-controlled cargo need the relevant transport documents and declarations. The international forwarder must be properly licensed, and commodity and value must be declared truthfully at booking. The connection between the two sectors needs a reasonable transit allowance, subject to each carrier's confirmation on the booking day.
Rates and space: the China to gateway rate is published by the carrier operating that route, and the gateway to Larnaca belly rate is applied by Cyprus Airways under its cargo rules; the agent combines them into one interline price. Belly space is tight in peak season, the tourist season and around holidays, so shippers should ask for rates and lock space early, and large shipments can request charter or extra capacity at the same time.
Specialist freight services
The services address common situations for Chinese shippers exporting to the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East through Larnaca, covering belly express, charters and wet lease, perishables and temperature control, e-commerce express and special cargo, all requested through a forwarder at booking.
Belly express
Using A220-300 and A320-200 belly space, it carries machinery parts, textiles and garments, consumer electronics and e-commerce express, suited to regional distribution of light to medium-density, time-critical cargo.
Charter and wet lease
Charter and ACMI wet-lease whole-aircraft capacity is available; the A320-214 and A220-300 can be combined in several cabin layouts, suiting seasonal surges, large shipments and seasonal dedicated transport.
Perishables and temperature control
Trade in agricultural produce and cold chain cargo along the eastern Mediterranean is active, and container-friendly perishables can move under belly temperature control; temperature requirements and suitable varieties are confirmed by the carrier on the booking day.
E-commerce and express
For cross-border e-commerce and express shippers it offers belly space from Larnaca to European and Middle Eastern points, and with gateway transit supports frequent small shipments to Cyprus and nearby markets.
Special cargo declaration
Lithium batteries, dangerous goods and temperature-controlled cargo must be declared in advance under IATA rules with compliance documents, handled through the agent and accepted by the carrier on suitable terms, subject to confirmation on the booking day.
Interline endorsement
The company holds code shares and interline agreements with carriers such as Air France, so the gateway to Larnaca sector can be interlined on one air waybill with the China to gateway sector, simplifying document handover and the responsibility boundary in transit.
China contact
Cyprus Airways is headquartered at Larnaca International Airport and its website is cyprusairways.com. It has no published direct office in China and no direct cargo sales office or terminal in China. Chinese shippers booking to Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean should contact its local agent in China, or let us coordinate.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight) can verify space on the China to gateway sector and the gateway to Larnaca sector, combine the interline rates, prepare the air waybill documents and coordinate the Chinese airport and gateway handover. Shippers can submit volume and requirements through our website goodhope86.com or the contact details at the end of the page, and we confirm space and schedule with the carriers on the booking day.
FAQ
No. Cyprus Airways works from Larnaca to Europe and the Middle East and operates no scheduled direct passenger or cargo service from a Chinese airport to Larnaca. Chinese cargo must transit a European or Middle Eastern gateway into its Larnaca belly network, and the actual interline routing is subject to carrier confirmation on the booking day.
Book through a qualified international forwarder, choosing a sector from Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, Beijing and other airports to a gateway such as Paris, Milan or Dubai, then endorse to the Cyprus Airways gateway to Larnaca sector. Cargo is cleared and screened at the Chinese airport, loaded, transited at the gateway and arrives at Larnaca; the steps are described under how cargo is booked in China.
Mainly passenger bellies. The four A220-300 and two A320-200 aircraft in service are all narrowbody passenger aircraft and the airline operates no freighter; day-to-day cargo goes in the belly, and charter or wet-lease whole-aircraft capacity can be requested in peak season or for large shipments.
From Larnaca Cyprus Airways serves Greece, Italy, France, Spain, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Israel, Lebanon and the UAE, and through interline extends to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, the Maldives and Kazakhstan.
Times are local; the schedule changes with the season and the carrier's confirmation on the booking day governs. The China to gateway sector and the gateway to Larnaca sector must be confirmed separately, with a reasonable transit allowance between them.
Cyprus Airways is an IATA member and has passed IOSA; dangerous goods and lithium batteries are carried after declaration under IATA rules and need compliant transport documents in advance. Whether they can be carried is subject to carrier confirmation on the booking day.
Yes. The airline publicly offers charters and ACMI wet lease and can provide whole-aircraft capacity for seasonal surges or large shipments; configuration and schedule are subject to carrier confirmation, so raise the requirement with the agent early.
We can verify space on both sectors, combine the interline rates, prepare the air waybill documents and coordinate the Chinese airport and gateway handover. Contact details are at the end of the page.
Capacity enquiry for the eastern Mediterranean
To check interline space and rates from China to Larnaca, send volume, origin airport and destination point and we will confirm with the carriers.