Eurocypria will keep on flying

State-owned Eurocypria, that was spun off from troubled national carrier Cyprus Airways (CAIR) and sold back to the government for 23 mln euros, will remain a separate entity and continue to fly to ensure competition and better public service, its chairman Eleftherios Ioannou told the House Communications Committee meeting on Monday.
He added that Eurocypria hired experts who have suggested ways to ensure the airline’s viability and profits for its single shareholder, including operating charter flights to destinations such as Manchester, which seems to threaten Cyprus Airways’ monopoly over certain routes.
Government officials also told the House Committee session that when the European Commission approved CAIR’s rescue plan, it stipulated that the two airlines could not merge any time before 2017.
CAIR chairman Kikis Lazarides reiterated his previous declarations that the island’s small population did not justify two airlines and that only Cyprus Airways should remain operational.
Meanwhile, trade unions have called for the government to intervene and implement a comprehensive rescue plan for the airline as they fear for its viability. If their please are ignored, union officials said they would stage a strike on November 7, the day the new Larnaca airport terminal building will be inaugurated.