LONDON – Cyprus Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Paul Sies, announced a new route between Larnaca, Cyprus and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
New Route
Starting on 27 March 2023, the Larnaca-based airline plans to operate the new route between its home base of Larnaca and Dubai three times a week.
This new route will increase accessibility of Cyprus to destinations in the Middle Eastern and beyond via the popular tourist destination, and significant hub airport, of Dubai.
“We are thrilled to announce today an important milestone in our plans to further connect Cyprus to the world. Opening up flights to Dubai was high on our agenda and we have been working very hard to secure rights and slots to operate such services,” said Paul Sies.
“The United Arab Emirates is another important gateway we are adding to our ever-increasing network. This important addition is in-line with our commitment and plans to better serve the local communities, businesses and open up new tourism opportunities to Cyprus,” he concluded.
Sies was previously the Chief Commercial Officer of Air Malta.
The new route is planned to operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Departing Larnaca at 15:15 Cyprus local time, arriving in Dubai at 19:45 local time. The return leg is scheduled to depart Larnaca at 20:55, arriving in Cyprus at 23:35.
David versus Goliath
The announcement adds an additional choice between the island nation and the Emirate of Dubai. Cyprus Airways will be challenging Emirates, one of the flag carriers of the UAE, which is currently the only airline to fly direct between Cyprus and the UAE.
The Dubai-based airline operates a daily service between Dubai and Malta with a stop in Larnaca. This is operated on Emirates’ Boeing 777 fleet. Cyprus Airways will be going toe-to-toe with one of the largest airlines in the world on the new route.
Return tickets on Cyprus Airways start at 649 Euros including taxes.
Cyprus Airways commenced operations in 2017 following the successful granting of an Air Operator Certificate and the Cyprus Airways Trademark Rights from the Cypriot Government.
Cyprus Airways Ambitious Growth
As reported by AviationSource here, in December 2022, Cyprus Airways announced significant plans for expanding its operations after completing an extensive restructuring of the organisational operations.
The carrier currently operates a fleet of Airbus A320ceo aircraft with plans to increase the fleet by two additional units this year. The eventual goal is replacing the fleet with the newer Airbus A320neo aircraft. The current fleet are in a 180-seat all-economy configuration.
The airline also offers package holidays via its subsidiary Cyprus Airways Holidays.
In a presentation to stakeholders in December, Sies concluded with “Cyprus Airways is strategically positioned to connect Europe with Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.”
“Our plan is based on having a lean organization having a strong brand and ambition to succeed to grow and connect Cyprus structurally to Europe and beyond.”
