Minister of Transport Avigdor Lieberman announced yesterday that on Monday, Israel and Cyprus signed a new aviation agreement allowing Israeli airlines to make charter flights between Ben Gurion Airport and Larnaca and Paphos in Cyprus.
Until now, the Cypriot Directorate of Civil Aviation permitted charter flights only between Haifa and Larnaca, which prevented the operation of large planes.
The new agreement allows Israeli and Cypriot charter airlines to make up to 100 charter flights between Ben Gurion Airport and Cyprus during the summer season. The parties also agreed to decide by September 2004 whether to extend the charter flights for the winter season.
The Ministry of Transport believes the reason for Cyprus's decision on charter flights was the country's joining the EU on May 1, 2004.
Lieberman said the agreement would increase passenger and tourist traffic between the two countries. Current passenger traffic between Cyprus and Israel is 100,000 people a year.
Arkia Airlines announced yesterday that it would begin charter flights between Ben Gurion Airport and Larnaca and Paphos in June. The flights will be operated under Arkia's joint venture with Israir.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on January 28, 2004