Cyprus Airways held talks with both the Montenegrin and Slovenian governments yesterday as it looks to play a greater role by either setting up bases across the region or providing its airline-in-a-box business concept. The carrier’s Airbus A220-300 aircraft was initially deployed from Larnaca to Podgorica yesterday, where the company’s management met with the Montenegrin Ministry for Transport and Maritime Affairs, as well as Air Montenegro, after which they continued onto Ljubljana for a fresh round of talks with the Slovenian government. Cyprus Airways has said, “There have been talks and it’s part of our strategic plan to grow with new bases around the Mediterranean. We are open to continue discussions".
The airline-in-a-box concept aims to replicate the succusses Cyprus has had in replacing its bankrupt carrier with the new reincarnation of Cyprus Airways several years ago. The model is aimed either at countries whose flag carriers have gone bankrupt, or those where the national airlines are struggling. As part of the package, in markets with no carriers, clients would set up something similar to a virtual airline under its own brand, where the majority of operations would be outsourced to Cyprus Airways. The virtual carrier would benefit from Cyprus Airways’ EU Air Operator’s Certificate, as well as EASA and IOSA compliance.
Commenting on the meeting, the Montenegrin Minister for Transport and Maritime Affairs, Filip Radulović, said, “This was an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Cyprus Airways’ and Air Montenegro’s business models. We concluded to formalise concrete cooperation. The two sides expressed their openness to explore opportunities for closer cooperation in the coming period, identifying it as a priority in future talks. This visit further emphasises our intention to deepen ties and cooperation between Montenegro and Cyprus Airways, opening perspectives for strengthening the aviation industry and tourism in the region”.
It's really odd that they took 1/4th of their fleet out of service just to fly in for the meetings. Would've expected some kind of announcement when they took the aircraft out of service for a full day
ReplyDeleteIt's winter. They probably do not require it.
DeleteInteresting concept that could work for Slovenia.
ReplyDeleteThis concept could in theory could work for Tuzla
DeleteNot with current government, unfortunately
Delete^ where? Slovenia?
DeleteIs there any potential in this actually happening?
ReplyDeleteFor Slovenia basing one-two A220 would work; Berlin, Rome, Bucharest, Amsterdam, should all be daily. Then you have Vienna, Brussels, Prague, Sarajevo, Tirana that could be 2-5 weekly
DeleteThe A220 is the ideal aircraft for an airline based in LJU.
DeleteHow many A220s do they have in their fleet now?
Delete2 delivered in the summer, 8 to be delivered
DeleteNice. Maybe one of them will be in LJU soon :D
DeleteAnd acording to which criteria is A220 ideal for Lju.
DeleteCapacity, economy, comfort, range
DeleteFunny how on the other article everyone was saying the A330 was perfect for Slovenia!!!
DeleteA330 is terrible for LJU, and that's obvious.
DeleteA380 is perfect for Slovenia! Maybe it could replace the Stadler trains from Kamnik to Ljubljana!
DeleteAnd what is cost per hour or cost per seat of A220 if we talk about economy.
DeleteNot sure but definitely one of the lowest
DeleteAs it was with CRJ’s.
Deletewhat are CRJ's benefits over A220? from the point of airport ops, pax comfort, baggage space - none
DeleteCRJ is more or less history.
DeleteThat is why I wrote was. Economically it was a right plane for Adria back 15 -20 years ago. A220 is a game changer and it is really a pity that they could not speed up the production in Canada
DeleteThis is getting interesting
ReplyDeleteThat A220 looks very nice in Cyprus livery
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteThis is so odd in my opinion but let's see what happens.
ReplyDeleteeveryone is interested except the Slovenian government.
ReplyDeleteAll the government does is talk. Never any results. At least in aviation.
DeleteExactly. They just hold meetings. I have yet to see any result from any of the meetings they've had.
DeleteThis will end nowhere like all the talks the government had.
DeleteI really wouldn't say Cyprus Airways has been exceptionally successful to be selling their "know how" to others.
ReplyDelete+1
Delete2015 Cyprus Airways isnt the same as 2023 Cyprus Airways
DeleteAgree but then we won't have this news
DeleteSo this Cyprus Airways has nothing to do with the former Cyprus Airways national airline?
DeleteYes, all they did is buy out their branding
DeleteExactly
DeleteOne or two of their new A220s would be great for LJU base.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed
ReplyDeleteOdd
ReplyDeleteWhy? I think it is actually a very smart concept to sell.
DeleteAgree with Anon 09:28, would be interested to hear why it is odd.
Delete09:23, can you elaborate or you really don't have an opinion, yet you felt you had to be a person from the Balkans, always having to say something no matter how stupid it is? Like, your thoung being faster than your brains?
DeleteTounge, typo.
Delete@11.01 not typo
Deletewow. Would love to hear their full plans for LJU and the region
ReplyDeleteAnyone flown with Cyprus Airways? What are they like?
ReplyDeleteFull service carrier
DeleteDo the owners of Cyprus Airways have a good track record or will it be another 4K Invest story?
ReplyDeleteThey don't own any other airlines.
DeleteThey own ArcosJet (https://arcosjet.com/)
DeleteI wonder how much money they are asking for
ReplyDeleteWhy? Is it coming out of your pocket?
DeleteNo, just wondering how much money a package like this is valued. It's a relatively good concept to sell
DeleteIt’ll come out of Slovene taxpayers pockets so it’s a valid question.
DeleteYes, it is, but definitely less than establishing a new "national" airline from scratch.
DeleteThat would literally be exactly what Lju needs
ReplyDeleteFor starters they could launch flights from Larnaca to Ljubljana and Podgorica.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a seasonal flight could work. Highly doubt year-round would work.
DeleteDid Adria fly to Larnaca?
DeleteLong time ago
Delete2-3 times per week from May to October could work well with A220
DeleteCan't wait to see the outcome of this
ReplyDeleteDon't get your hopes up
DeleteThat is the rule number 1 when it comes to aviation in Slovenia
DeleteAviation in Slovenia has always been advanced, it's just that you know shit about it.
DeleteThe most advanced while in Yugoslavia...
DeleteEntire Yugoslav aviation during the last decade of Yugoslavia, was one of the best, most advanced and most developed in Europe. Adria was one of the launch customers for brand new Airbus 320, at that time the World's most modern medium range aircraft. Adria flew to Seychelles with it. JAT was the first european scheduled carrier to introduce at that time new generation, most advanced B737-300, before KLM, Lufthansa or British. JAT was one of only five european operators to maintain scheduled flights to Australia, the only one connecting Dubai with China, or the only european carrier with scheduled flights to Cleveland, just for example. All what we have today in ex-yu, including the biggest and most developed Air Serbia is not even close to what civil aviation in Yugoslavia was.
DeleteNot to mention JAT MD-11 order (6 units with option for additional 3), and Aviogenex negotiations with Boeing for introduction of B767.
DeleteAnd yes, there was a reason for all those services : huge Croatian and Slovenian diaspora in Cleveland, huuuge ex-yu diaspora in Australia, transit passengers from Middle East to North America and entire western Europe to Australia, and China which at those times just started opening to the World and doing proper business. Maybe you can find some economics undergraduate to explain you that
DeleteThe above post was reply to a guy claiming "JAT was financed by public funds and there was no reason for such services which were megalomaniacal", and "I need an economist undergraduate to explain me that", which was meanwhile deleted by ex-yu aviation.
DeleteBut what can they do with Montenegro since it already has an airline?
ReplyDeleteWow!!!
Delete"The model is aimed either at countries whose flag carriers have gone bankrupt, or those where the national airlines are struggling." Have you read the entitety of this part? (Just asking btw).
Delete"Entirety". I Hate auto-correct.
DeleteAir Montenegro is not struggling though. Cyprus needs to mind their own damn business
DeleteAir Montenegro is struggling. It exists only thanks to state subsidies.
DeleteLike everyone else
DeleteNo, not like everyone else. At the end of last year Air Montenegro said it needed urgent cash or it would declare bankruptcy. It is an airline that has 2 planes, does not allow passengers to buy connecting flights, does not have a single interline or codeshare agreement, is only third by size in its home market. So yes, it is struggling in every respect.
DeleteThis kind of reminds me of 4K Invest. When they bought Adria they also had a plan to later purchase Croatia Airlines and Montenegro Airlines.
ReplyDeleteI really don’t see any similarity. 4K Invest was investment fund with bed reputation, they were buying companies (not airlines), draining companies and eventually sent them into bankruptcy. 4K invest had actually no knowledge about and no interests in aviation. Cyprus Airways is an aviation company not interesting in buying for peanuts or be payed to buy airlines but investing into aviation sector.
DeleteGood to see some development and foreign interest
ReplyDeleteHoping for a positive outcome
ReplyDeleteAirliner-in-a-box...yes, and after they start loosing money it will be again finger in the ass....Why they don't just use Open Skies and base two aircraft in Ljubljana if they dare. If we are going to pay somebody to fly from LJU, then it is better to have national carrier with slightly loosing money, than this "public-private venture", where we again pay for something in a box and pretend to have national airliner and pay them to fly.... Again, this shows total lack of any idea, any strategy...anything on the side of Slo govt (of any political affiliation) regarding aviation. If they had anything of that kind, they would be looking for ways to put it in motion. But...all they do is open themselves for ideas from outside and then decide, if this would work. This is beyond pathetic...this is just...bunch of shupchina....
ReplyDeleteWell said!
DeleteLet's hope that Cyprus Airways will come to LJU. For starters, Larnaca would be another nice sunny destination to the LJU network of destinations. I also hope that the virtual carrier will be in its own livery and not like Air Prishtina or My Wings in Kosovo. What I see as an opportunity when opening a base is:
ReplyDeleteVIE 3 times a week, then Austrian Airlines will regret it, because there is really potential in this route.
FRA, MUC if possible daily.
ZRH - there will be stiff competition from the LX here, but why not?
Other options to launch with 2 weekly frequencies are - Stockholm, Barcelona, Rome, Milan, Manchester, Berlin, Prague, Dusseldorf.
I wonder if all these destinations would be successful? LH Group I think is enough for the German speaking market? I think BT will cover ARN, OSL, DY is coming... Also would dest3nations like PRG, BER, DUS work without transfers from Albania and Macedonia? Sorry but LJU can't attract transfers, it's just that those who were transfer destinations (TIA, PRN, SKP) are now prospering, with W6 and already FR, who would come to LJU to transfer to FRA for example?
DeleteThe airport is well connected, although some people say there is no recovery..... Iberia will start MAD, Norwegian to CPH. Trade Air has a solid network including Barcelona, Tenerife, Funchal, although they are charters. As for what would work, I would say - Manchester, Barcelona (regular), Berlin, Rome, Milan, Venice, although it is close.
DeleteTrieste perfectly covers the Italian market, which for Slovenians is mostly "leisure". I know people who travel frequently from there to London and Spain. But keep in mind that I'm from Koper, LJU people would prefer not to drive here (TRS). Although as far as I know many people come from LJU to TRS.
Delete@everyone
DeleteNote that p2p is not 100% restored yet, so there is a small segment of market share to "steal", so Cyprus can try with 5-6 destinations and one A220. I agree that transfers are impossible at this stage, one of the reasons TIA for example from LJU doesn't make sense. But I think some destinations like VIE, MAN, BER, DUS will work. As for LCA, I think it will be a very successful route, we see what happens with TDR, A3.
In fact, the network from LJU is not bad at the moment. We have connections with FRA, MUC, ZRH, BRU (LH Group), AMS, CDG (from KLM-AF), London with three airlines, some others like Warsaw, Luxembourg, Athens, soon Madrid. Istanbul and Dubai - a great opportunity for flights to Asia and exotic destinations.
DeleteIn the Balkans we have TGD, TIA, INI, TIV. I blocked another player - JU with BEG. And the new additions Riga and Copenhagen for the Baltics and Scandinavia.
Also PRN with GP Aviation Switzerland
DeleteIt's no secret that many people from Slovenia use TRS. During the pandemic, we looked at absurdities.... People from LJU came to TRS...
DeleteLJU have two carriers and to Tel Aviv- Sund'Or and Israir
DeleteAnon 11:43 There are no TIA-LJU flights
DeletePRN * not TIA yes that's right.
DeleteTRS have W6 to TIA😊
Does anybody know why this A220 from Cyprus Airways was circling for around one hour(12.28UTC to 13:24UTC) at the east of Ljubljana before landing?
ReplyDeleteLow visibility (fog).
DeleteLJU airport is IIIb cat for ILS. Difficult to imagine that such a modern AC would need to go for a holding pattern because of the fog (yes, there are still visibility requirements for IIIb). In fact, according to FR it seems that the pilot tried to land but it was a missed approach and then went into holding.
DeleteAre they Cat3 approved?
DeleteA220 is, of course. Whether it is a specific AC dependent or installed for the entire series by default, I don't know.
DeleteThe A220 is certified for CAT IIIb (as is LJU airport's ILS) therefore there was no reason to hold as the weather was nowhere close to CAT IIIb minima. (Ryanair is another thing as the mighty Boeing is only certified for CAT IIIa). It means that either the crew was not trained for CAT IIIb or they do not have the approval for the CAT IIIb autoland yet (or the aircraft had a technical defect). Is that the know-how they are trying to sell for money?
DeleteCyprus airways just introduced A220 into the fleet. Aircraft is capable to perform Cat IIIb, but they need to accumulate a number of flight hours before obtaining the permit. It's expected in approx 2 months. The problem with that particular flight was very low vertical visibility.
DeleteThat's why I asked if they are Cat3 approved. Aircraft is certified, Airport also. So it must be a problem with the crews / airline requiring more sectors / experience as it's a new type. The poster of the last reply is correct, BUT on the same comment, VV is not at all a factor in a 3D approach, is it? So it must have been the RVR, not the VV. Just to be precise. Bottom line is that it would have been easier and certainly a lot CHEAPER for the managers to travel there by other means (LH etc) and save their company's cash for which they are so desperate
DeleteIt was VV. They were flying CAT I with DH 200ft. RVR was around 600-700m which was fine, VV variable between 100 and 250 ft, which was a problem. All clear now? They presented their ideas, service level and the plane itself.
DeleteClearly you have a lot of info about the flight, hence you are so adamant about VV (which I say again, has absolutely no limitation or restriction on starting and continuing a 3D approach - ONLY RVR has). Now if they did so and performed a go-around because they did not achieve the minimum visual requirements for landing due to Vertical Visibility, due to fog patches, due to whatever, that's another story (Don't know the details, and frankly don't care).
DeleteAt the end we agree about the reason and argue about terminology. :-) But let's go back to the topic: Cyprus brand new A220 is impresive, I trully hope they find LJU attractive... It will be difficult to achieve acceptable LF with 135 seats.
DeleteAnd Names behind are ?
ReplyDeleteHuh?
DeleteI hope something comes out of it
ReplyDeleteMuch more viable than the Air Slovenia project
ReplyDeleteI think the idea must be to create year round connectivity, rather than just allow other airlines to come and exploit the market in the summer months. Local skills to operate an airline and the people exist but their talents are wasted. Slovenia as a destination should and could be rated much higher. It has all the charms of its neighbours but has not generated the publicity needed to make people aware of what it has to offer. It has much to offer in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteHave Cyprus Airways solved their own financial and other problems, before offering their services and "expertise" to others?
ReplyDeleteThis is not state owned Cyprus any more. It's fully private company which paid for the name. No links to the former Cyprus airways or the state.
DeleteGovernment, private, Cyprus Airways version 1, version 2.1, version 2.2 makes no difference. Question still stands.
Delete