Action plan to be prepared by the end of May to gradually open up airports

The cabinet has approved the proposal of the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works to set up an Inter-ministerial committee that will prepare an action plan by the end of May to gradually open flights to and from Cyprus airports.

Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said the cabinet has approved the procedure through which the action plan and strategic planning to gradually lift the ban on flights to and from airports and the airports’ operations.

Already, he said, discussions have begun at the level of civil aviation in various countries, but it is important to draw up an action plan that takes into account all the information to gradually lift the ban on flights, so that will be ready, when “epidemiological data allow, to effectively restore connectivity and the operation of airports. "

The inter-ministerial committee will include the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Health and Deputy Minister of Tourism, chaired by the Transport Minister. A committee to lead the discussions under the Permanent Secretary of the Transport Minister will also be set up with the permanent secretaries of the Finance, foreign Affairs and Tourism as well as a member of the epidemiology group, the Civil Aviation and Hermes airports.

The aim of the Inter-Ministerial committee will be to submit the action plan by the end of May to gradually open up airports as well as the time for the realistic opening of airports and flights, the criterial for selecting the countries with which connectivity will be restored in the first phase and in what way.
 
Connectivity is crucial for our country. As an island, we virtually depend on connectivity and we are preparing an action plan which will take into consideration all epidemiological data so we can gradually bring back our connectivity the sonest”, the Minister added.