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”.
