The former Minister of Transportation and Vice President of the Democratic Alarm, Yiannis Karousos, is lashing out at the government for its delayed actions regarding Cyprus’s air connectivity, by former Minister of Transport and Vice President of the Democratic Rally, Yiannis Karousos. In a written statement, he emphasizes that “the government’s announcement regarding the revision of European rules on state aid for air transport raises more questions than it answers.”

“Submitting written positions as part of the European Commission’s public consultation is a self-evident obligation of every member state. However, this cannot be presented as proof that the Republic of Cyprus exercised timely and effective political influence in shaping the new European rules.”

The key question is this, notes Mr. Karousos: What did the government do before the European Commission’s proposal was made public?

“The process of revising the guidelines did not begin in 2026. It began as early as August 2024, when the European Commission published its first Call for Evidence, which concluded in October of that same year. It was then that member states had their first and most important opportunity to influence the shaping of European policy.”

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Read the rest of the announcement in its entirety:

“The data published by the European Commission does not indicate that the Republic of Cyprus participated in this first stage of the process. If positions were indeed not submitted, then a serious political question arises: why was Cyprus absent from the stage at which the new rules were being formulated?

If, on the other hand, positions were submitted, the government must make them public and inform the citizens:

• When were they submitted?
• What was their content?
• What exemptions and special provisions did the Republic of Cyprus seek for island states?
• What policy initiatives were undertaken with the European Commission, the relevant Commissioners, and the other member states?

Defending the country’s interests does not begin when a draft regulation is published. It begins when the drafting process starts. That is when alliances are formed, arguments are presented, and the conditions are created to influence the final outcome.

Critical questions also remain unanswered:

• Has a comprehensive impact assessment been conducted to outline the economic, tourism, and social consequences that the new rules will have for Cyprus?
• Have alliances been formed with other island or remote Member States facing similar challenges?
• What is the government’s specific action plan until the new European framework is finally approved?

Furthermore, given that the Ministry of Transportation was aware that the proposed changes might affect the incentive framework for the development of air connections, one would expect it to have already assessed the impact on the incentive plans of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism. These two policy tools are inextricably linked and directly affect both air connectivity and the competitiveness of Cypriot tourism. Was there coordination between the two ministries? Is there a joint plan to address the potential consequences?

Only after the issue was brought to light and following public interventions by the Democratic Alarm did the government proceed to submit written positions to the European Commission, as part of the 2026 public consultation. This action was necessary, but it cannot replace the timely political intervention required when European policies are being formulated, rather than after proposals have already been made public.

Cyprus is a member state of the European Union with no land or rail connection to the rest of Europe. For our country, air connectivity is neither a choice nor a commercial advantage. It is a prerequisite for tourism, the economy, investment, social cohesion, and our equal participation in the European Union.

This requires seriousness, transparency, and decisive advocacy.

The government must inform citizens and political parties with full transparency about all actions taken to date, make public the positions it has submitted to the European Commission, and present a comprehensive action plan by the time the new European framework is finalized.

On such a critical issue, there is no room for celebration or public relations maneuvers. What is required is timely intervention, documentation, strong European alliances, and resolute advocacy to protect the Republic of Cyprus’s air connectivity and the country’s strategic interests.”