Turkish Cypriot hotelier interested in Cyprus Airways

A Turkish Cypriot hotelier has shown interest in buying the troubled national airline Cyprus Airways, according to reports by the Cyprus Sunday Mail.

The offer came from Aziz Kent, the first Turkish Cypriot to be awarded a licence for a hotel in the 1960s, according to his own statements.

Kent told the Sunday Mail that there were many people who would love to buy Cyprus Airways provided it served both sides of the island.

Kent said the purchase could act as a bridge for peace.

At present international flights do not fly directly to northern Cyprus because of its unrecognised status.

Kent recently threatened to sue the Republic of Cyprus government after he was among a strong of Turkish Cypriots served with a European arrest warrant for allegedly building on Greek Cypriot land. He insists he has built on land legitimately owned by Turkish Cypriots.

Kent has reportedly tried and failed to get Greek Cypriot newspapers to host advertisements for his hotel.