NATIONAL carrier Cyprus Airways (CY) yesterday announced a code-sharing agreement for transatlantic flights with Britain’s second largest airline Virgin Atlantic.
Under the agreement, travellers will be able to buy single itineraries to connect with ease between Larnaca and a variety of Virgin Atlantic’s United States destinations.
“We are confident that the Cyprus travelling public will actively welcome this partnership, as it will open the North Atlantic market on Cyprus’ national carrier code in cooperation with Virgin Atlantic, jointly providing the care and comfort that both carriers offer on their flights, “ CY executive chairman Giorgos Mavrocostas said.
The code-sharing will provide new travel options to customers of both airlines and will allow a streamlined journey across these routes, with passengers being afforded the convenience of one-stop ticketing and baggage check-in whether their travel originates in the US or Cyprus, CY said.
Edmond Rose, Director of Commercial and Revenue Planning for Virgin Atlantic said: “It’s a pleasure to be working closely with Cyprus Airways to offer new code-share flights between major cities in the United States and Larnaca. The code-share will make buying tickets and travelling between the US and Cyprus simpler for Virgin Atlantic’s and Cyprus Airways’ passengers.”
The agreement will see Cyprus Airways put their code on Virgin Atlantic flights operating between London Heathrow and Boston, Los Angeles, New York JFK and Newark.
Virgin Atlantic will code-share on Cyprus Airways services between Larnaca and Heathrow.
The two carriers expect the code-share to come into force on July 25 after obtaining the relevant government approvals.
Yesterday’s announcement coincided with CY’s 64th AGM, where Mavrocostas revealed a second deal with Virgin Atlantic to exchange timeslots at London’s Heathrow airport starting in October.
CY expects that the move will improve its arrival and departure times, affording travellers the most attractive times.
Come October, CY will be in a position of offer daily morning and afternoon flights to Heathrow, Mavrocostas said.
The airline is trying hard to find its feet following some turbulent times in the recent past, which saw 150 workers made redundant and pay cuts across the board.
The measures were part of an emergency action plan including a €20 million government cash injection that helped the airline stay afloat.
“We are determined to see our plans through but also to make the necessary adjustments depending on the market conditions,” Mavrocostas said.
He said the airline has scrapped several loss-making flights to Europe and the Middle East, and has boosted its flights to the Russia, which displays significant prospects for further growth.
CY has increased its flights to Moscow to six a week – two using the larger Airbus 330 and has daily flights to Saint Petersburg, a new destination.
Munich, Germany, has also been added to the company’s routes while destinations in the Middle East are currently being studied for possible expansion.
