“Difficult times” ahead for Cyprus Airways

Cyprus Communications and Works Minister Haris Thrasou has warned that the difficult times have yet to come for the national airline Cyprus Airways, whose staff agreed a tough restructuring package last week.

The minister welcomed the decision by all five trade unions of the company to accept the plan.

A restructuring plan was needed in order for the government to secure a loan from the European Commission.

The plan provides for a reduction in salaries and benefits, a cut in personnel and an increase in productivity.

Thrasou appealed to management and employees alike to work together to bring the airline to profitability.

Responding to questions, he said redundancies will be decided by the airline, taking into account safety and proper operation of the company.

“We cannot allow more people to leave than the numbers we need to run the airline,” he explained, adding that pilots have expressed more interest in taking redundancy packages than other employees.

Personnel working in the catering services have also shown a keen interest to leave.