Reports in local press on Thursday claimed that a new airline company – which came about after efforts from former Cyprus Airways pilots and the chairman of pilots’ union PASIPY Efthymios Liasis – was currently close to completion. The new airliner, should it be approved by the Cyprus Civil Aviation (CCA), would be called TUS Airways but would in the beginning start off in a far smaller way compared to its only Cypriot rival Cobalt.

According to the press, the airline is first set to first start out small by only focusing on short flights between Greece and Cyprus with fleets of Saab 340B and Saab2000 which hold passenger capacities of between 34 to 50 seats.

The planes have already been prepared with the appropriate colours and logos while the company is registered in Sweden. The first flights would be operated by Swedish pilots while TUS Airlines have already opened up its central offices in Larnaca.

The company will soon be looking to recruit and even train co-pilots.

Earlier this week, the chief executive officer of Cypriot airliner hopefuls Cobalt Air, Peter Kelly, said Cyprus would soon have a ‘new age’ aviation company as it patiently waits for his license request to be approved from the CCA.

According to reports, Cobalt Air plans to promote Cyprus through its fleet by branding some aircraft with names like ‘Visit Cyprus’ and is also said to be working closely with the authorities on the island including the Ministry of Communications and Works. Cobalt Air has already set sights on flying out to ten different European destinations.

In fact, Communications Minister Marios Demetriou said that he welcomed ‘the interest by the company’ to setup shop in Cyprus.

Source: InCyprus