“Indeed, both Ryanair and Aegean, have applied to get a local airline licence,” Demetriades told reporters in Nicosia today. “The civil aviation department is looking at it. When an airline applies for a licence which already has a license from another European Union country, this should be examined quickly”.

The minister said the time required for the procedure to be completed will depend on “how soon” the civil aviation department will received required information from the two airlines.

The minister declined to comment on questions related to speculation state-owned Cyprus Airways is expected to terminate its operations on January 9, when the European Commission is expected to issue its ruling over whether the loss making airline received unlawful state aid early last year. In that case, Cyprus Airways would have to return up to €80 million to the government, which it does not have.

Source: Cyprus Mail