Cypriot taxi drivers sound the alarm: 30% fewer tourists, rising costs, and illegal operators growing bolder

The Pancyprian Federation of Urban Taxis (POAT) has said the sector is in a critical position due to declining revenues and a lack of control over illegal transport operators.

Key factors in the crisis:
• Tourist arrivals down 30%: Due to the tense geopolitical situation in the Middle East, tourist traffic to Cyprus has fallen by a third over the past four months. This has led to a sharp drop in trips from airports and hotels.
• Revenue leakage to the north: According to POAT estimates, around 8–10% of potential revenue is going to the occupied northern territories, where passenger traffic is not controlled by the Republic's authorities.
• Rising operating costs: Against the backdrop of falling demand, taxi drivers have seen fixed expenses rise significantly for fuel, vehicle maintenance and tyre purchases.
• Growth in illegal competition: The problem of «profession pirates» has worsened because employees of the Road Transport Department are tied up with tasks related to Cyprus's presidency of the EU Council (which runs from January to the end of June 2026). As a result, raids and roadside checks on illegal operators are virtually not being carried out.

If the situation in the tourism market does not improve in the coming months, the taxi drivers' union intends to formally demand a package of financial support measures from the state.