PAPHOS, Cyprus – Ryanair flies out of Cyprus but says the airports are still too expensive for operators and they may rethink their business there.

Ryanair officials came here Feb. 18 to celebrate the low cost airlines 30th year of operation and a promotion that for a few hours only offered 30 percent off all fares for travel in March and April.

It was at a news conference that Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer, David O’Brien said that prices were astronomically high at both of Cyprus airports, which deters airlines, the Cyprus Mail reported.

“Cyprus is a good example of what not to do. Excellently run airports which are operationally excellent, they look good, but they are too expensive. There are many markets which want developing ones such as Poland, but we will have to consider where we will allocate this capacity.”

Paphos is the Cultural Capital 2017, which according to figures from previous title holders, will see an increase of around 20-25 per cent more passengers to the city.

But O’Brien warned that although there was a published incentive scheme for the airports, it was restrictive and costs remained high. Airport costs would have to be slashed, as the Chief Commercial Officer said it would be foolish to allocate capacity to a high price location.

“Pricing in Cyprus is going to have to change, there is no point in having 20 per cent more passengers if it’s very expensive to us. Carrying 20 per cent more is a serious consideration as we would have to put extra aircraft capacity to Paphos. We would do this, but at the right price,” he said.