Press Releases

It is with great pleasure that I have accepted the invitation to address this important Symposium. I welcome all of you to this event, especially those speakers and participants coming from abroad.

I would like first of all to extend my congratulations to the Organizers, Sponsors and Supporting Groups, for organizing this international event on such an interesting and important subject. 

The high quality of the Conference is guaranteed by the topics that will be addressed as well as by the reputation of the speakers and the participants. It will give the opportunity for the exchange of ideas on important matters and it will provide the participants with further knowledge on the national market and infrastructure development.

The aim of the Conference is to explore the latest developments in commercial aviation sectors and present the advantages of Cyprus which could enable the island to become a hub in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.  The Conference  will provide the platform for high level debate, exchange of ideas and information as well as extensive networking opportunities for aviation executives from Cyprus and abroad.  It will also provide the possibility for new business opportunities to be explored.

Aviation in general and Air transport in particular is an important enabler for achieving economic growth and development. Air transport facilitates integration into the global economy and provides vital connectivity on a national, regional, and international scale. It helps generate trade, promote tourism and create employment opportunities. Air transport at both national and international level is an important and yet a sensitive area of a country's economic activity and political development. Especially for the Cypriot economy, Cyprus being an island at the South Eastern end of the European continent, the sector of air transport is of great importance, as the vast majority of passengers, mail and cargo are being transported by air.

The geographical position of Cyprus and its accession to the European Union have created further favourable conditions for the development of aviation in Cyprus. In particular, it can be stated that aviation in Cyprus has shown a healthy growth in recent years. It is worth mentioning that the total passenger traffic at the Cyprus Airports in 2017 recorded an increase of 14.2% over the previous year. In particular, compared with 2016, passenger traffic at Larnaca airport increased by 16.5% and at Paphos airport an increase of 7.8%.

Although Cyprus currently has an overall sufficient connectivity with most aviation markets, it could certainly be said that there is much space for improvement, not only with current markets but also with completely new markets.

The Government of the Republic of Cyprus supports and welcomes aviation-related projects and favours the capitalization of any presented opportunities. 

The fact that Cyprus is at the South East boundary of the European Union in close proximity to the Middle East and the Gulf region, provides an additional advantage which should be explored.

It is worth mentioning that in recent years Cyprus economy recovered considerably from the economic crisis of 2013.  The aviation sector has seen a remarkable improvement and currently three (3) commercial air carriers, eight (8) training organisations for pilots engineers and cabin crew and eleven (11) approved aircraft management and maintenance organizations, are successfully operating in Cyprus.  Towards the end of the same year, the Cyprus Civil Aircraft Register consisted of 118 aircrafts.

It is also important to say that the interest by new applicants to invest in the aviation business, in areas such as air transport, air taxi, helicopter operations, balloon operations, aircraft maintenance, training etc. indicates that the successful development will continue in the following years. As previously mentioned, the Cyprus Government, supports, welcomes and favours  any aviation related investment projects that will further enhance connectivity and economic prosperity of the island.  

Dear friends and distinguished guests,

Let me conclude, by saying that every person involved in civil aviation has a very important role to play in the healthy evolution of air transport. I wish every success to the Conference and I anticipate that the subjects presented, as well as the vivid discussion among the speakers and participants, will be fruitful and contribute to even greater development of aviation.

(DK)