CYPRUS AIRWAYS (CY) unions will meet today to decide whether to go on strike if the government goes ahead and supports Eurocypria financially.
The row is over a plan by the government, which owns 100 per cent of charter firm Eurocypria, to restructure the airline, which may involve the injection of an additional €35 million.
CY unions had already threatened drastic measures, saying if the move went ahead, , some 1,500 CY workers would be left without work. Even CY management has repeatedly said there is no room for two competing airlines in Cyprus, even though it was CY that originally set up Eurocypria in 1991 and then sold it to the government over two years ago in a move that needed the approval of the EU.
CY itself is 70 per cent owned by the state.
Yesterday, the head of the national carrier’s biggest union SYNIKA Andreas Pierides said a strike was imminent, especially if the government refused to carry out an independent expert’s survey into Cyprus’ air transport.
Pierides challenged the state to inform the public on the true state of Eurocypria.
But the chairman of Eurocypria, Eleftherios Ioannou, rejected the possibility of a new study, saying one already existed, which was objective and contained all the information needed for conclusions to be made
Finance Minister Charilaos Stavrakis called on all parties involved to stay calm yesterday. “Both companies need to survive,” he said, adding that if Eurocypria was to close down, Cyprus would next year lose 150,000 tourists.
Communications Minister Nicos Nicolaides said the state has a duty to ensure the viability of both airlines.
“The state, as a shareholder, has an obligation and the right to ensure the viability of Cyprus Airways and Eurocypria, which should not operate competitively under any circumstances,” said the minister. “The best possible methods and operational framework need to be found to reinforce both companies.”
He said this could only be achieved through a serious approach, scientifically proven analyses, discussions, transparency and good will.
“All possible alternative solutions will have to be evaluated in all seriousness, because it is a matter that can’t be resolved without an in-depth analysis,” said Nicolaides, adding that he was confident the Finance Ministry would find a solution taking all aspects into consideration.
“One aspect being the respect towards the workers and securing the workers’ rights, without victimising anyone,” he said.
Nicolaides said his ministry would help in any way it could “to avoid a negative development and conclude on a positive outcome for both companies”.
The Chairman of the House Finance Committee, Nicolas Papadopoulos of DIKO, said there was real danger of both companies closing down.
“At the point we have reached, whatever has to be done, needs o be done at once,” said Papadopoulos.
