Cyprus Airways pilots back down

Cyprus Airways (CAIR) pilots decided Tuesday to call off their strike measures set for August 25 and 26.

Polis Economou, the Chairman of the Pancyprian Union of Pilots (PASIPY) told CNA that the measures are called off, since the company has responded positively to three demands raised by the pilots during a meeting held on Monday night with the CAIR board.

He said that in the next 24 hours consultations will take place between the pilots union and the company in order to reach an agreement.

Asked whether the union would go on strike in case no agreement is reached, Economou said that the issue should be addressed in a positive manner, noting that the company’s response to the pilots’ demands has been “very positive”.

“What we aim at right now is for the company to move forward”, he concluded.

The pilots demand that the company’s fleet of 11 planes remains intact, that cuts in salaries and allowances are limited and that by 2010 their salaries revert to 2004 level before the pay cuts.