Cypriots say 'yes' to CAIR survival

According to a survey carried out by RAI Consultants, 94% of the Cypriot citizens desire the survival of Cyprus Airways and believe that the ones to blame for the current condition of the national carrier is the management (49%), the government (21%), the employees (16%) and the former government (2%). On the question whether a merger of Cyprus Airways with Eurocypria is necessary, 87% sees this possibility positively, while 76% says ‘yes’ to the participation of technocrats with special knowledge in the air market in the Board of Directors.

The public opinion also believes that the Cyprus Airways employees have been willing to find a solution to the problems that afflict the national carrier.

The survey concerned 605 persons (men and women between 18 and 65 years) and covered urban and rural areas of Cyprus. The data was collected on February 6 and 7.

PASYPI, however, expects a public commitment on behalf of CAIR Chairman, Lazaros Saviddes that negotiations will start again in order to avoid further inconveniences. As regards to the pilots’ salaries, PASYPI said that the latest reports are ungrounded and aim to mislead the public opinion. After a salary and benefit cut of £2.4 million, the pilots’ annual salaries have dropped sharply and they are regarded as lowly paid in the sector compared to pilots of other air companies.