Cyprus Airways could be saved if the government was truly interested in saving it”, AKEL leader Andros Kyprianou said on Tuesday after meeting the national carrier’s unions.
But, he added, as the government had a different goal in mind, “it appears that illegal, irregular and quite paradoxical procedures have been followed, which raise serious questions as to whether these issues constitute corruption.”
He also said AKEL would oppose any funds the government may request for Cyprus Airways unless it is fully updated and allowed to voice its views in the decision-making process.
The union reps’ leader Petros Souppouris claimed the government is attempting to sell Cyprus Airways’ name and logo only, meaning its employees will be left jobless and Cyprus’ bilateral flight agreements will fall to private interests.
Kyprianou said he listened to what the employees had to say “closely, but with grave concern”.
“The conclusion that can be safely drawn is that the government is making an effort to create a fait accomplis that would render selling off the company – as opposed to selling it to a strategic investor,” he said.
The opposition leader said he was updated on the company’s financial situation, as well as proposals submitted by experts and consultants.
According to Kyprianou, AKEL will table the issue for discussion in the House, but warned the government that unless full transparency is employed it will vote against any further decisions.
“I want to send a message to the government, that we demand full transparency on this issue,” he said.
“We will not accept ministers creating fait accomplis and informing the House after the fact. We will demand a full update, and if we are not satisfied with it we will not approve any further steps planned by the government,” he said.
He clarified that he was referring specifically to the supplementary budget that will need to be approved by the House in case the Cyprus Airways logo is sold off.
“In such a case, the government will need an additional budget for the damage that will ensue in the economy, and that’s going to run in the hundreds of millions of euro,” he said. “If we are not included in the procedure with our own proposals, we will not approve any funds the government will ask for.”
Kyprianou pointed out that the government’s priority should have been to support the national carrier and render it viable.
“It appears that this can be achieved,” he said.
“Instead, as many have pointed out publicly, it is acting in a way that can only bring about the sell-off of our national carrier.”
Souppouris said the unions have been meeting with all political parties in a bid to reverse the government’s conscious efforts to sell off the company.
“We have been met with great support, and we hope to stop the procedure started by the DISY government and the [Finance and Communications] ministers,” he said.
The leader of the pilots’ union said the delegation explained to AKEL how the government “plans to leave Cyprus Airways personnel unemployed, sell off the company’s name and logo only, and at the same time transfer the 51 bilateral agreements with other countries for private interests to exploit.”
Cyprus Mail
AKEL: government could save Cyprus Airways if it was interested
