The Cypriot Shipping Ministry has announced its plans to launch the ferry link connecting Cyprus and Greece, in May 2020, just in time for the peak summer season.

According to reports, the ferry service will be available once a week between the busy months of May to September and once every fortnight during the rest of the year.

The Ministry has submitted an application for funding to the European Commission in order to finance the transport initiative and Cyprus’ deputy shipping minister Natasa Pilides says she is pushing for completion of all required procedures as soon as possible to ensure the ferry link is available by the summer of 2020.

There has been a push for the new ferry link between the two countries after it stopped operating in the year 2000, due to financial issues with most travellers at the time opting for flights. Over the last few years, Cypriot citizens raised their concerns that airline tickets were too expensive and supported the government’s plans to restore a ferry service.

Pilides says the link will benefit both Cyprus and Greece, boosting tourism, creating jobs and generating competition with airlines, thereby leading to cheaper fares.

Starting in Limassol, the final destination in Greece is expected to be Piraeus, which is the country’s busiest port and there have also been talks of an intermediate stop, such as Rhodes.