The test flight was carried out with its first Cyprus-registered Airbus A320, it added.

Cobalt chairman Gregory Diacou who hailed the issuance of AOC from the Department of Civil Aviation also said: “We are proud to play our part in Cyprus’ long aviation heritage.

“The thousands of messages of support that we have received during the recent weeks from Cypriots here and abroad proves that there is tremendous enthusiasm backing Cobalt as the country’s new national carrier.”

Diacou also said that Cobalt is scheduling the launch of operations to Athens on June 1, with flights to the UK and other European destinations starting later on the month of June.

At the same time, he highlighted the fact that, by the end of June, CobaltT will add another three aircraft to its fleet, raising the total number to four.

Cobalt’s chairman stressed that the company also plans to launch operations to non-European destinations, such as Israel, Lebanon, Russia, Iran and Egypt in the very near future.

“Since the demise of Cyprus Airways, our national air traffic rights to these countries have been lying dormant. These are significant economic assets that we must now utilise in order to support the development of the Cypriot tourist industry and the broader economy.”

He added: “Prior to our first official flight, we have generated more than 100 new jobs locally and hundreds more will follow. Cyprus needs and deserves a strong home carrier with global ambitions.

We are that airline and that is our ultimate goal! Furthermore, we very much appreciate the professionalism of the Cypriot civil aviation authorities in handling the AOC process so effectively and thank them for their support.”

Source: InCyprus