Pursuing the liberalization of flights is part of government efforts to deal with seasonality in tourism and extend the tourist season, Cyprus Minister of Communications and Works Tasos Mitsopoulos said on Monday.
He spoke about positive developments regarding flights from Ukraine, which has licensed specific airliners, besides charter flights.
In statements today, the Minister said that the liberalization of flights is part of the Memorandum of Understanding Cyprus has signed with the Troika (European Commission, ECB, IMF), as international lenders press for the pursuit of an “open skies” policy.
He added that an action plan presented to the Troika recently has received positive comments, with lenders recognizing “serious and systematic efforts” that are being made.
Russia liberalized its flights to the island, while Qatar is expected to introduce flights to Larnaca this year. More connections were established with Ukraine and Israel, as well as other companies flying from European destinations.
Mitsopoulos said finally that a meeting will take place this week to address summer tourism issues.
The Minister recalled a recent meeting with the Troika on commercial shipping, in the presence of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC), noting positive comments by the Troika on the work that is being done in this sector.
He added that the CSC had one more opportunity to address the Turkish embargo on Cyprus-flagged vessels, and referred to obstacles that have been put in place by Ankara, to the development of Cyprus shipping.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. In April 1987 it imposed restrictions on Cypriot-flagged vessels and in May 1997, Ankara issued new orders to extend the restrictions to include ships under a foreign flag which had any relation with the Republic of Cyprus.
Several official EU documents outline Turkey’s legal obligation to lift its embargo on Cypriot and EU shipping but so far Ankara has refused to meet its EU commitments.