Getting to Cyprus in the winter

The Sunday Times opens its travel clinic on a daily basis to answer your holiday queries. Today: Cyprus flights

I've seen plenty of fares advertised from Manchester to Cyprus over the summer, but does anyone fly in the winter months? I have a holiday home on the island and have heard that the flights stop after October. Stanley McIntosh, Manchester

Sunday Times travel expert, Richard Green, responds: It's true that the number of flights from the UK to Cyprus is much greater in the summer months, but you'll be pleased to know that several airlines do keep flying through the winter.

British Airways (0870 8509850) flies from Manchester to Paphos with fares from just £114 in November, and Cyprus Airways flies to both Larnaca and Pahos in winter from about £158.

You can also get seat-only deals with charter flights, from specialist charter agents like Avro (0871 622 4476), Charter Flight Centre (0845 045 0153), Travel Republic (020 8 9747200), and Flightline (0800 541 541). There are winter charters to Cyprus from eight UK airports, with fares from about £250.

It generally holds true that the scheduled carrier fares will increase if you leave booking until near to the date you want to fly, while the charter carriers often have very cheap tickets available just a few days before departure. Having your own property out there does mean that you aren't tied to specific dates, so it is definitely worth looking at last minute charter deals if money is a factor.