“We are happy to present the first aircraft for the new Cyprus Airways,” Natalya Popova, Cyprus Airways chief commercial officer, said in a news release. “We hope that our livery will appeal to our passengers and will make the company’s fleet recognisable in any airport across the world thanks to the selected colours and the symbols of Cyprus, which remind of the unique peaceful and beautiful atmosphere enjoyed by anyone arriving on the island.”
Pastel shades were chosen for the livery, light blue as the basic colour and azure blue for the underside of the fuselage to replicate the various colours of the Mediterranean Sea.
The olive branch, the main symbol of Cyprus and also found on the Republic’s flag, is depicted on the tail and engine of the plane.
The fuselage wears the logo of Cyprus Airways, while on the front part there is a mouflon, another quintessential symbol of Cyprus.
The airline’s corporate design elements, including the livery and the logo of Cyprus Airways, were designed by British agency Landor.
In July, Charlie Airlines, co-owned by the Russian S7 Group, won a competition for the right to use the trademark ‘Cyprus Airways’ for a decade.
Charlie Airlines bought the rights for €2.04m.
The original Cyprus Airways shut down in January last year after the European Commission ruled that more than €102m in government support constituted illegal state aid and €66m had to be repaid.
The national carrier could not afford to return the money and operations were suspended.
The new Cyprus Airways will be based at Larnaca airport and operate regular flights to Europe and the Middle East. The airline’s fleet will comprise of Airbus A319 aircraft.
Currently, the company’s specialists are finalising the plans for the route network expansion. By late 2016, the company expects to receive an air operator certificate and begin selling tickets.
“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 the passengers and build an effective business model,” Popova said.
Source: Cyprus Mail
