Cyprus Airways, the national carrier of the Republic of Cyprus, linking Cyprus with Lebanon for over 40 years now, has announced it would double its flights to Beirut.
More specifically, Cyprus Airways, which flies seven times a week from Larnaka to Beirut, will launch a 14 times weekly flying programme as of June 2010.
During the past three years, the number of passengers who chose to fly Cyprus Airways to and from Beirut has recorded a significant increase, despite the world economic crisis.
In 2007 Cyprus Airways transferred to and from Beirut 48.000 passengers, in 2008 56.000 and in 2009 65.000 passengers.
Most passengers from Larnaka to Beirut are business people and tourists as well as Lebanese who live in Cyprus, while those who chose to fly Beirut – Larnaka with CY are either tourists, business people or transit passengers to other European destinations, mostly Paris CDG.
To celebrate the launch of its more frequent flight program to the neighboring country, Cyprus Airways has invited Cypriot journalists to visit Beirut for the day. The journalists were accompanied by high-ranking officials of Cyprus’ national carrier.
The Cypriot delegation flew to Beirut with one of the most modern aircraft in Cyprus Airways’ fleet, the brand new Airbus320, which was named ‘Aphrodite’ and is registered with the code number 5B-DCG.
The new Airbus Α320 – 232 carries 152 passengers, 20 of which in the business class “Apollo” and 132 in the economy class ''Aphrodite''.
Cyprus Airways' new aircraft has two engines ΙΑΕ V2527-Α5 and is considered to be of the latest technology with upgraded specifications and new navigation systems.
An important innovation in Α320 – 232 is that all ''Apollo'' business class seats are made of leather and each row has only two seats, thus offering more comfort to its distinguished passengers.
Before departing to Beirut, the Cypriot journalists’ delegation visited the new Cyprus Airways’ Executive Lounge in the newly built Larnaka Airport, with an overall area of 600 square meters.
The Cypriot delegation arrived in Beirut on flight CY1342. The flight lasted 40 minutes.
After visiting tourist attractions in the center of Beirut as well as the reconstructed city, they returned to Larnaka the same day.
Cyprus Airways is the national airline of Cyprus, based in Nicosia. It operates scheduled services to over 30 destinations in Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf. Its main operational bases are Larnaca International Airport and Paphos International Airport.
Shareholders of Cyprus Airways are the government of Cyprus (69.57%) and private investors (30.43%).
