New Cypriot airline receives operating license, takes to air in July

New Cypriot carrier Cobalt Air has started selling tickets for flights expected to start on July 7, an official said on Wednesday.

Grecory Diacou, Cobalt's chairman, said that the start of flight operations was made possible after the airline received its operating license on Tuesday.

The new airliner is aiming at taking the place of Cyprus Airways, the former Cypriot national carrier which was wound down in January 2015, after running out of cash.

"Cyprus has been without a national carrier for too long. A strong home airline is a vital part of our national infrastructure," Diacou said.

The Cyprus Airways brand name and logo, a flying moufflon, a species of wild goat native to Cyprus, has been put up for sale by the Cypriot government, which owned the former national carrier.

Cobalt Air had received its air operator certificate about a month ago, but actual services to clients were delayed until there was a satisfactory vetting of foreign shareholders.

The airline is owned and controlled by Cypriot nationals, but Hong Kong investors have a significant part of shares in Cobalt.

"This has been a long and at times difficult road but we are delighted that the new wings of Cyprus are now taking to the air," Diacou said.

The company owns two planes and two more are expected to arrive by the end of June.

It will start flying to a wide range of cities in the UK, Greece, and Ireland, and will focus its marketing efforts on the UK and Irish markets.

Cobalt will also fly to Beirut and Tel Aviv as of July subject to obtaining traffic rights and is promising flights to far and wide destinations, such as China and the United States at a later stage. Endit