The bi-lateral deal signed in Doha by Transport Minister Tassos Mitsopoulos also provides for future cooperation in air transport, including a code-sharing agreement between Qatar Airways and Cyprus Airways. It also provides that Qatar Airways will have the right to carry passengers from Cyprus to other destinations to be determined after further study.

The Cyprus Hotels Association said it welcomed the further liberalisation of air transport to and from the island, which had been one of its demands to help boost tourism. “The agreement with Qatar, reached after persistent efforts by the transport minister and the government is an important and essential step in attracting additional tourist arrivals to the island and to the extension of the season, and for saving jobs,” said the hotels association. It said that the agreement, and similar ones struck recently with Russia, Ukraine and Israel would act as a catalyst to enhance accessibility to the island on a year-round basis.

The agreement in Doha was signed by Mitsopoulos and the head of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority Abdul Aziz Mohammad Al-Noaimi. It was also agreed that Cyprus Airways and Qatar Airways would meet to discuss the new code-share deal within 30 days.

Source: Cyprus Mail