Larnaca mayor Andreas Louroutziatis said “we have taken the first essential step to start moving forward,” after a meeting earlier in the week with a delegation of representatives from China East Airline, travel agents and lawyers at the municipality.

The ball for now seems to be in China’s court, which will then engage the Ministry of Transport and airports operator Hermes.

Efforts are being exerted from Cyprus, trying to encourage and convince the airline – as well as broader efforts to entice several carriers – to the island. Transport ministry spokesperson Demetris Constandinou said this was early stages and could not provide a timeframe as to when flights would begin.

“It may be by the end of the year it may not, it’s too soon to say,” he added.

During the meeting, “we presented all the advantages of Larnaca,” including current projects, plans on infrastructure, and why the town is attractive, Louroutziatis said.

Source: Cyprus Mail