A new airline company, Fly Kıbrıs Airlines was launched on Monday.

A promotional event for the new airline, which will make its maiden flight from Ercan to Istanbul on April 16 was held at the new terminal building of Ercan Airport.

Speaking at the launch event, Fly KHY co-founder Rauf Denktaş expressed his sadness over the earthquake and emphasized the importance of acting together in recovering from the disaster.

Stating that the airline will be a great contribution to the economy, Denktaş said that the airline will be for the general public and therefore everyone should support it.

Founding partners of Fly KHY Nusret Polat and Mehmet Dalman Yücel both expressed their excitement in the project, adding that they planned to name one of the planes after the Angel’s Volleyball Team which had perished in the earthquake in Adıyaman.

The Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı for his part said that it was a historic night adding that they had removed all the obstacles in the way of entrepreneurs and paving the way for their success.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu for his part reminded that the new airport terminal will soon become operational and added that an increase in the number of airline companies operating flights to the TRNC will lead to a drop in ticket prices.

Minister of Labour and Social Security Hasan Taçoy for his part stated that tourism should progress further and added that they were very proud of the new airline company.

Acting President and Parliamentary Speaker Zorlu Töre for his part said that the Republic had reached to where it has today by experiencing great suffering.

Noting that a more powerful state should be created, Töre expressed his belief that the economy will further expand and the country will be further recognised through Fly KHY.

President Ersin Tatar, who could not attend the launch, sent a video message.

In his message, Tatar congratulated the entrepreneurs and also expressed the belief that the airlines will contribute to the country’s economy and recognition.