New Cypriot carrier prepares to launch
New Cypriot low-cost carrier Cobalt plans to start operations at the end of March, once its air operator’s certificate (AOC) is finalized, according to CEO Andrew Pyne. Cobalt is “90% through the AOC process” and just needs to complete a facilities inspection and proving flight, Pyne said. Financing for the new company comes from local entrepreneur Gregory Diacou, together with a Hong Kong-based organization that Pyne declined to name, but whose identity would be made public shortly, he said. Cobalt will operate from Larnaca Airport, using an initial fleet of three leased Airbus A320s, powered by V2500 engines and in a single-class 180-seat layout, “but we’re looking to supplement that with ACMI [aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance] aircraft,” Pyne said. “Cyprus is a very seasonal market, so ACMI is a very attractive option.”<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2016-02-12/unaligned/new-cypriot-carrier-prepares-to-launch
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New Cypriot carrier prepares to launch
New Cypriot low-cost carrier Cobalt plans to start operations at the end of March, once its air operator’s certificate (AOC) is finalized, according to CEO Andrew Pyne. Cobalt is “90% through the AOC process” and just needs to complete a facilities inspection and proving flight, Pyne said. Financing for the new company comes from local entrepreneur Gregory Diacou, together with a Hong Kong-based organization that Pyne declined to name, but whose identity would be made public shortly, he said. Cobalt will operate from Larnaca Airport, using an initial fleet of three leased Airbus A320s, powered by V2500 engines and in a single-class 180-seat layout, “but we’re looking to supplement that with ACMI [aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance] aircraft,” Pyne said. “Cyprus is a very seasonal market, so ACMI is a very attractive option.”<br/>
