I would like to share my recent experiences on the Cyprus Airways flight from Paris to Larnaca on 20^th November.

1.       The flight was delayed 50 minutes (the only flight delayed from 20 flights out of Charles De Gaulle that morning). On boarding the plane, we were informed by the pilot, that the delay was due to the fact that someone’s pet dog had been incorrectly put into the cargo hold rather than the ventilated section of the hold. Thus the animal had to be removed and placed in the correct section of the plane.  I thank the pilot for his honesty, but it does make one wonder what other things the crew could have been overlooked, if they made such a basic error with transporting of live animals. (In this situation, good PR comes into play, which Cyprus Airways is in desperate need of, and the pilot should have been more tactful and said something along the lines of “we have someone’s beloved pet flying with us and the delay was to make the animal more comfortable, etc….).

2.       Thankfully, the flight was underway, newspapers were handed out by the stewardesses, after which the stewardesses responsible for the section I was sitting in, proceeded to sit at the rear galley of the plane and read the local newspapers. (I know at my place of employment I am not allowed to sit and read newspapers during working hours).

3.       After 30 minutes into the flight the pilot made the usual announcement regarding flight duration, altitude, temperature in Cyprus, etc. which was all very fine. However, when explaining the flight path we would be taking, he mentioned that we would be flying over the coastline of Serbia.

Geography being one of my fortes, I proceeded to inform the stewardess of Business class (as she was the only one around as the other two stewardesses were busy at the rear of the plan reading the newspapers), on the pilots error and asked her to mention to the pilot that Serbia does not have a coastline. The stewardess return after 10 minutes to advise me that the pilot was indeed correct and that The Country of Serbia and Montenegro does have a coastline. I proceeded to inform her that Montenegro has been an independent Country for the last 8 years and is not part of Serbia. (One would think that a pilot’s homework would be to be up to date with Countries and their geography. (At this point I only hoped that indeed the pilot was going to get us to Cyprus).

Furthermore, the pilot being Cypriot (not to mention highly paid compared to his counterparts on other airlines) should have been extra careful with matters concerning countries, names and their boarders, as these are a very delicate issue and the correct and legally recognized name, boarders, etc.  should never be confused. I.e. if we were on a say British Airways flight and the pilot announced we would be flying over “Macedonia” or the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”.

4.       Finally no attempt was made by the crew to sell any on board gifts, alcoholic beverages, etc. (I guess they have never been on a Ryan Air flight or Cyprus Airways just don’t need the money).

I think that the writing is on the wall for Cyprus Airways and the Cyprus Airways employees themselves are resigned to their fate. I feel very saddened that Cyprus Airways has become what it is today. As a Cypriot I was proud that such a small country once had such a fantastic airline and I loved and always chose to fly Cyprus Airways.

From a business point of view, I don’t believe anyone or company in their right mind would purchase Cyprus Airways in its current state. The problem with Cyprus Airways is not only its Government appointed Management, Cyprus Political Partiy’s interventions, but also its employees.

The only solution for the airline is for it to be purchased by Cyprus Airways employees themselves, that is, if the pull their socks up and genuinely believe in the Company. 

Sincerely a very saddened Cypriot,