Cobalt (Larnaca) has secured its Commercial Air Transport Licence from the Cypriot Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) paving the way for it to begin regular commercial operations.

With its paperwork now officially in order, airline chairman Gregory Diacou said Cobalt would continue to operate non-scheduled services until the launch of regular passenger flights to cities in Greece, the United Kingdom and Ireland on July 7. Cobalt plans to initially serve Athens twice daily and London Stansted six times weekly while offering between two and four weekly services to Dublin International, Irakleion, Manchester International and Thessaloniki.

"This has been a long and at times difficult road but we are delighted that the new wings of Cyprus are now taking to the air," he said. "Cyprus has been without a national carrier for too long. A strong home airline is a vital part of our national infrastructure."

Services to Beirut and Tel Aviv Ben Gurion will also start in July subject to the Cypriot government's allocation of traffic rights.