Cyprus Airways: investor needed as market share evaporates

The government of Cyprus is currently assessing the expressions of interest it has received in connection with its controlling stake in the national carrier Cyprus Airways. The highest profile potential bidders are Ryanair and Aegean Airlines, who also happen to be the two most profitable European airlines in the first six months of calendar 2014.

For the outside observer, up to date analysis of Cyprus Airways' financial performance is not possible. Nevertheless, our previous analysis suggested that its unit costs were higher than those of its main competitors in the Cyprus market and it is unlikely that this situation has fundamentally changed. Moreover, its share of seats at its Larnaca base and in Cyprus overall is continuing to flow to others.

The sale of the airline could be its last chance of survival, although potential buyers may be tempted to use the process to find out as much as possible about an ailing competitor before letting it wither.