THE SIGNING of a memorandum of association between Hermes Airports and a so far unnamed Chinese company with a view to developing the old Larnaca airport into commercial showrooms and a logistical services centre was welcome news. Although there is a long way to go for the completion of negotiations, which have not yet started, and the signing of a business deal, the memorandum is a first step towards putting into effect an excellent idea... 7 comments

THE AIR traffic controllers (ATC) went ahead with another four-hour strike yesterday, causing the disruption of 36 flights, despite rumours the government is ready to table a bill today clipping the wings of striking controllers. Yesterday’s strike affected around 4,500 people and 36 flights to and from both airports of Cyprus. It was the second this month, while another two have been scheduled for next Monday and Thursday. According to Adamos Aspris, spokesman for airports’ operator Hermes, almost all cancelled flights were due to be rescheduled by the end of the day. ... 10 comments

CYPRUS AIRWAYS is the best example of the political rot in which the Cyprus Republic has lived for the 52 years of its existence. Anyone who wants to find documentation of the scale of the crimes committed by the politicians against this country does not need to dig up new sources or go through state archives seeking classified papers. None of this is required. The corruption, populism, demagoguery and all the dirt that are an integral part of our political life can be found at the offices of Cyprus Airways. Whoever wants to investigate the causes for the economic mess the country is in today only has to look at the history of the national carrier. It is all there in black and white... 7 comments

 GOVERNMENT and parliament were engaged in talks yesterday with a view to regulating strikes in essential services, as fresh industrial action by air traffic controllers (ATCs) over a pay dispute, inconvenienced thousands of passengers and hurt the island financially and politically.Communications Minister Efthimios Flourentzos said consultations were taking place between the government and political parties, expressing hope that the problem would be resolved.Twenty flights were disrupted yesterday, as striking ATCs shut down the Republic’s two airports for hours, on the first day of scheduled industrial action.“Certainly the damage is huge,” the minister told reporters... 17 comments

THE FIRST of the four-hour work stoppages announced by the air traffic controllers (ATC) takes place tomorrow. Another three will follow by the middle of March as part of their union’s blackmail tactics. More stoppages could be announced for later this month as tourists start to arrive for the Catholic Easter holiday, if the controllers fail to impose their pay demands on the government.Communications minister Efthymios Flourentzos on Tuesday urged the controllers to consider the consequences would have on the economy and appealed to them “to return to the dialogue so that all this damage is avoided”. Why do we expect the controllers to behave more responsibly when they are faced with a minister who does nothing but beg them to return to the negotiating table?... 9 comments

 AIR TRAFFIC controllers (ATCs) yesterday announced four strikes for March, accusing the state of lacking the will for substantive dialogue to resolve a pay dispute.The controllers announced they would be shutting down Larnaca and Paphos airports for four hours each day from 12pm on March 2, 7, 12 and 15.ATC union PASEEK said it was left with “no other choice than to repeat and escalate strike measures” in the face of the communication ministry’s insistence.The controllers accused the ministry of rejecting compromising proposals tabled by various sides.But they did express their regrets to passengers who will be affected by their strikes, asking for their understanding... 4 comments

CYPRIOT flag carrier Cyprus Airways said yesterday full-year results would be a "significant departure" from 2010 after being hit by intensified competition and rising fuel costs.The board will meet next Tuesday to discuss full-year results and capitalisation issues.Cyprus Airways, which made a net profit of €215,000 in 2010, posted a loss of €29.3 million for the first half of 2011.The government, which owns 70 per cent of the airline, has said it wanted a strategic investor who could potentially assume a majority stake in the company... 7 comments

BRITISH Airways (BA) is re-launching its direct flights between Paphos and London Gatwick, as part of its summer flight schedule, which starts from March 25. BA flights from and to Paphos are scheduled for every Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.Flight BA2677 from Paphos International Airport to London Gatwick will depart at 4.05pm local time with estimated time of arrival in London at 7pm local time.Flight BA2676 from Gatwick will depart at 8.35am and reach Paphos at 3.10pm local time. A spokesman for the airline told the Cyprus Mail: “It was always the intention of BA to resume the service for the summer; the flights were only stopped last year for the winter season.” ... 9 comments