Cyprus Airways, which operates twice-weekly Dubai-Bahrain-Larnaca flights and services all major European and Middle East destinations, has reported a 4.6 percent system-wide rise in passenger traffic for the first half of this year.
“The share allocated to Cyprus Airways in its local market also increased by 4.5 percent to 36.6 percent during the same period,” said Stavros Kyprianou, the airline's Middle East and Gulf chief.
During the first half of 2002, the Cyprus Airways fleet was upgraded with the purchase of two new Airbus A-319 aircraft, which were delivered to the company in April and July respectively. One of the new A319s has been drafted into service on the Thursday flight from Dubai and Bahrain to Larnac, with an A320 operating on Sundays.
The Cypriot carrier's Gulf upgrade comes as traffic from Dubai and Bahrain to the Mediterranean island grew by 10 percent last year on 2000 traffic. “Much of this growth was due to the introduction of special package deals,” explained Kyprianou. “Traffic from other Gulf states was static but we are now looking to rectify that by focusing on the leisure market from the GCC with more Cyprair Holiday Packages.”
As part of its strategic plan for expanding the Group's activities in Greece, Cyprus Airways has set up a new airline Hellas Jet based in Athens. It is expected to begin operations in 2003, with three Airbus A-320 aircraft flying to major European cities.
Cyprus Airways currently flies to Larnaca from the following Middle East destinations: Amman, Bahrain, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, Dubai, Jeddah and Riyadh. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
