Four hundred thousand additional tourists from Russia are expected to visit Cyprus as of this year.

In statements to CNA, Acting Mayor of Agia Napa Vasos Xidias said that following a decision by the Ministry of Communication and Works to launch charter flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Cyprus’ Larnaka and Pafos airports, 400.000 additional Russian tourists will be visiting Cyprus.

This, he added, was a long-standing demand of the municipalities of the Famagusta district, which are not under the Turkish military occupation. The charter flights will be carried out by Russian airlines.

“At least 400.000 additional Russian tourists will be visiting as of this year our island since the charter flights from Russia to Cyprus will run for nine months instead for five which was the case until recently” he told CNA.

Charter flights will run between 15 March and 15 November.

He also said that 45% of Russian tourists choose the tourist resorts of the Famagusta district, like Agia Napa and Protaras.