Cyprus Airways preparing to fly again

Reborn carrier Cyprus Airways is preparing to take to the skies again after having obtained a certificate from the civil aviation department, two years after it closed, the company said Tuesday. "The Air Operator Certificate is a huge step forward for us, as it acknowledges that all our processes meet the requirements of European aviation authorities," said Natalia Popova, Cyprus Airways CCO. On March 4, the airline conducted a test flight from Larnaca to Heraklion in Greece with an Airbus A319, as part of the procedure to obtain the certificate. "Our next step," said Popova, "is to get the licence for commercial flights, for which we have already submitted our application. At the same time, we are at the final stage of preparations for the commencement of our flights." The airline is reluctant to give a timeline for the launch of commercial flights but said it was finalising a schedule and would "soon" post a website for tickets and routes. The new Larnaca-based Cyprus Airways is expected to operate flights to Russia, Britain and other European destinations.<br/>