Cyprus-Forum.com

by **Cyprus Vending** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 5:06 am

EFFORTS to attract low-cost airlines to the island are underway in an effort to boost the country’s tourism industry.

Pantelis Ioannides, Press Officer for the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, yesterday told the Cyprus Mail that negotiations began approximately 12 months ago under previous CTO Chairman Photis Photiou.

“The attempt to have airlines expand their flight schedules to include Cyprus is an effort to increase tourist numbers and to bring people to Cyprus from countries that don’t currently have direct flights, such as Sweden. Passengers who previously wouldn’t have had an easy opportunity to visit have been targeted, with lower prices giving an incentive to travellers,” he said.

“Our new board of directors, appointed on August 1, have been continuing with negotiations. If we reach an agreement with the airlines, such as easyJet, Ryanair and FlyMe, we expect flights to begin shortly.”

When asked whether the initiative will be seen as stepping on the toes of long-established airlines such as Cyprus Airways and British Airways, Ioannides said: “Not at all. We are trying to establish flights from destinations where we don’t have current satisfactory flight connections, with new travel points added. All airlines are working together to bring tourists to Cyprus through any opportunities.”

Backing up the CTO’s views was Marianna Trokoudes, BA’s Cyprus manager.
“We believe that competition is healthy for the industry and the country. It is to the benefit of the consumer to have choice,” she said.

“British Airways are leading the way in the airline industry. BaConnect for example has started operations to Cyprus with a Manchester to Paphos route which is extremely popular. Maybe this will open the way for other carriers.”

Speaking from England, an easyJet spokeswoman would only say that, “the company is in discussions with around 50 European airports regarding expansion.”