Cobalt’s CEO Andrew Pyne underlined the strategic importance of the recent deal to Cyprus.

“The Cypriot aviation tradition is long and honourable.  With the collapse of Cyprus Airways, there was a risk that the technical excellence associated with their maintenance and engineering facilities here would be lost to the nation.  The workforce, of some 25 highly qualified engineers and maintenance specialists, were being approached with job offers from Dubai to London.”

Vice-Chairman of CAS, George Poumos stated that the “deal with Cobalt ensures we are keeping these jobs and skills in Cyprus.  In time, I have confidence that CAS can develop a major maintenance and repair (MRO) facility in Larnaca, one with the potential to employ hundreds and service a broad range of airlines and aircraft.”

CAS is a newly formed Cypriot company, employing many of the former Cyprus Airways engineers and maintenance specialists.

The Department of Civil Aviation, under EASA regulations, recently licensed CAS to maintain Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Cobalt, is in the final stages of the licensing process, and plans to take to the air in the spring of 2016.  The airline will be flying from Larnaca to a wide range of destinations throughout Western Europe, Russia, Middle East and Africa.

Source: Incyprus