The minister said that the airline has obtained the Air Operator Certificate and is soon expected to get its commercial permit.

Tus Air, he added, has submitted its business plan which includes short routes up to two hours since its fleet contains small planes with a 40-seat capacity.

The airline will launch with Saab 340 aircraft which can carry up to 34 passengers.

Destinations include Rhodos, Crete, Carpathos, Santorini, Samos or Kos.

Last year the islands flag carrier Cyprus Airways closed down.

The airline, which once dominated air travel in Cyprus, wrapped up operations -- broke and too weak to attempt a comeback after the European Commission ruled on that €102 million in government support given it received in 2012 and 2013 constituted illegal state aid.

Source: Famagusta Gazette