Cypriot Airline Receives Permit to Fly to Iran

Cyprus' flag carrier Cobalt Air has announced that it will begin regular flights to Tehran as of next year, having secured a permit from Cypriot authorities to launch the route.

According to the Famagusta Gazette, Cobalt will also add routes to Russia, Jordan and Egypt next year.

The permits were issued by Civil Aviation Department and are expected to substantially boost traffic at the local airline.

The airline, which operates from Larnaca, is currently serving Athens, Salonica, Heraklion, Chania, London, and Manchester. There are also seasonal services to Dublin in Ireland.

As of next week, Cobalt will add routes to Birmingham and Paris, France. Earlier this year, Cobalt’s chairman Gregory Diacou expressed "delight" in an interview with the Financial Mirror that "the Cypriot government has been able to negotiate a liberalized air services agreement with Iran."

The move will delight many businesses looking to tap the Iranian market following the lifting of economic sanctions on Tehran as a result of the implementation of the nuclear deal signed last year. According to the Cypriot daily, Cobalt plans to launch daily flights from Larnaca to Tehran.

A European Union country, Cyprus may serve as a gateway to Europe for Iranian businesspeople.

Currently, there are no regular flights between the two states. However, Qeshm Air and Mahan Air operate seasonal flights from Tehran to Larnaca during the two-week Iranian new year holiday (usually begins on March 21) and some periods in the summer season.