Cyprus Airways Back in Action with New Airbus

Adorned with an olive branch, the symbol of Cyprus, the country’s re-launched carrier Cyprus Airways is set to begin operations soon after receiving its first aircraft and securing its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) by the end of the year.

The new Airbus A319 landed at Larnaca Airport last week, which will serve as Cyprus Airways’ headquarters.

The new company – operated by Charlie Airlines, co-owned by Russia’s S7 Group – will run regular flights to Europe and the Middle East with a fleet of Airbus A319s.

“We are happy to present the first aircraft for the new Cyprus Airways… We invited the best air service professionals both from Cyprus and other successful European airlines to join our new team, which will help us save the best practices of the national carrier, offer high quality service to passengers and build an effective business model,” said Natalya Popova, Cyprus Airways chief commercial officer.

The company’s management team is currently finalizing plans for the national carrier’s network expansion.

Charlie Airlines, a start-up Cypriot carrier proposed by S7 Airlines co-owner Vladislav Filev, secured the naming rights to Cyprus Airways in July this year and assumed the defunct carrier’s brand. Russian shareholders hold a 40 percent stake in the carrier, with foreign investors controlling 60 percent of the airline.

Cyprus Airways had ceased operations in January 2015.