Cyprus Airways (CY, Larnaca) has discussed with the Slovenian government a possible entry into the market by setting up a subsidiary, a move that could help solve the country’s perceived need to launch a new national carrier through public-private partnership, according to a report by Ex-Yu Aviation.
Representatives of Cyprus Airways and its Dubai-based shareholder ArcosJet reportedly gave an introductory presentation at the Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure earlier this month.
Cyprus Airways “intends to expand in the wider region, so they are interested in establishing a company in Slovenia and possibly in some other countries in the region in the future,” the news site quoted a ministry spokesperson as saying.
The ministry also presented the airline with its own plans to establish a new flag carrier after the collapse of Adria Airways (Ljubljana) in September 2019. Most recently, reports suggested that Ljubljana could announce a strategic partnership with a partner airline this autumn.
Now under new ownership, Cyprus Airways has said it is aiming to grow its fleet of the type to twelve A220-300s by 2028. It currently operates two of the type as well as two A320-200s, ch-aviation fleets data shows.
Contacted for comment, Cyprus Airways' chief executive, Paul Sies, told ch-aviation that "there have been talks and it’s part of our strategic plan to grow with new bases around the Mediterranean," he said. "We are open to continue discussions."
The carrier told ch-aviation in January this year it was in talks with various European countries about its airline-in-a-box concept with Sardinia also having been pitched to.
Last month, Slovenian State Secretary Marko Štucin held consultations in Nicosia with the permanent secretary of Cyprus’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kyriacós Kouros. The two called for further strengthening of cooperation between Slovenia and Cyprus, “two smaller EU member states that share their views on enhancing Mediterranean cooperation within the EU Med Group, an informal alliance of countries,” the Slovenian government said in a statement at the time. “They underlined their mutual interest in preserving the dynamic of visits and regular dialogue as well as strengthening economic cooperation and direct investments.”
