Mediterranean carrier Cyprus Airways has appointed George Kapello, 50, as head of its operations in the Saudi Kingdom. Cyprus Airways' passenger numbers to and from Riyadh grew 6.2 percent in 2002 compared with the previous year, according to latest official figures.
Cyprus Airways carried 1,654,719 passengers on all routes in 2002, that's 9.9 percent up on the previous year and the second-largest increase the carrier has recorded in a decade, according to a company press release. Cyprus Airways flies from Larnaca to and from Riyadh and Jeddah twice a week.
On the Middle East routes overall, 216,435 passengers flew with Cyprus Airways in 2002, which is 8.4 percent, or 16,740 passengers, more than in 2001. Cyprus Airways' passenger growth, revealed recently in the airline's annual report, goes against depressing industry trends.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported a four percent worldwide drop in the numbers of scheduled passengers for 2002 compared to the previous year. The picture in Europe is even gloomier where the Association of European Airlines (AEA) says the losses are eight percent over the same period.
Cyprus Airways currently boasts a network covering 33 airports in 20 countries. Of these 33 airports, 24 are in Europe and nine in the Middle East and Gulf. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
