By Charlie Charalambous
CYPRUS Airways chairman Takis Kyriakides yesterday tried to play down fears that wholesale sackings would be enforced under the airline’s new survival plan.
The chairman was hosting a press conference in Nicosia to launch the airline’s 50th anniversary bash, but the gathering soon turned into a grilling over the leaked strategic plan.
Leaked reports claimed commissioned experts had suggested that drastic cost- cutting measures were needed if the carrier was to stay in the air beyond the year 2000.
“No one is talking about sackings, our aim is not just survival, but to progress and develop,” said Kyriakides.
Trying not send out the wrong messages, Kyriakides said he wanted the CA unions on board.
“The staff have supported the airline despite some troubles we’ve had in the past. I want staff to feel they are shareholders in the future of Cyprus Airways.”
Although pushed hard by journalists to reveal the content of what he called the survival plan, Kyriakides refused to divulge any specific details.
But he did say the commissioned report cost £180,000 sterling and not CY£300,000 as stated in the press.
“The plan will be put before all the interested parties, and everything on the table will be up for discussion so we can find a way to save millions and increase profits.”
Kyriakides stressed on several occasions that the survival plan was a `working paper’ only and not tablets of stone which could not be broken.
“We need to select and agree the right way forward, and without making the necessary changes we cannot invest in the future.”
The chairman was also diplomatic about the kind of radical change needed if the airline was to extend its expiry date beyond the year 2000 (the deadline given by the experts if CA failed to re-organise).
“I’m an optimist. I believe that the interested parties will be able to find a solution.”
But the CA boss conceded that tough negotiation battles with the unions lurked around the corner.
“Our major problem will be persuading all interested parties to co-operate and support the aims of this plan.”
The major objectives of the plan are to increase revenue (the company is already £7 million in debt), reduce costs and to carry out a total re- organisation.
Kyriakides said the company had less than three years to start operating at a profit and run as an efficient concern.
“We must operate without help from a third party and introduce the necessary investment.”
In response to criticism that the company was spending money it didn’t have on celebrations, Kyriakides said next week’s bash in Nicosia “cost next to nothing”.
A photographic exhibition to be held and made permanent at Larnaca airport cost the airline £12,000.
“Cyprus Airways has reached an important landmark which should be celebrated,” he said.
