Cyprus Airways slashes fares to Europe

Air fares from Dubai to Europe are tumbling to their lowest levels in years with Cyprus Airways the latest to slash ticket prices.

"There's a major difference between our fares and a lot of the others on offer - there aren't any short-term restrictions on when or how you fly during the period the fares are available," says Stavros Kyprianou, Cyprus Airways Middle East and Gulf chief.

Cyprus Airways is offering return fares from Dubai to its European destinations for Dhs 1,450.

"That's the price of a return flight to Larnaca with Cyprus Airways, so our customers are basically flying on to Europe for free," says Kyprianou.

"No airline can match our return fares to Cyprus. Cyprus Airways is responding to the market needs and demands, but the real winner from this is, of course, the travelling public. Cyprus Airways will take you to any of our 16 European destinations in tremendous comfort without hitting you hard in the pocket."

Kyprianou, a three-decade veteran of the Middle East's civil aviation industry, says many airlines are slashing their fares "to their lowest levels for many years" on the highly-competitive Dubai-London sector.

"Each day of late you pick up the paper or turn on the radio and someone is claiming to have the best deal out of Dubai to Europe, particularly London. But when you ring up you find the access is severely restricted and you have to pay more to get on the plane.

"Another problem on many occasions is not being able to alter travel dates. Cyprus Airways lets you fly when you want to and we have one fare, simple as that. And we take pride in the fact that our fares are always affordable."

The new Dubai deals from the Mediterranean carrier are available outbound until March 31. They do not include taxes.

Cyprus Airways' return business class fares to Europe from Dubai are Dhs 3,200.

"There are times when some competitors offer nearly that price for economy travel on the European sector," says Kyprianou.

Cyprus Airways flies from Dubai to Cyprus return twice a week.

Meantime, similar discounts have been announced for Bahrain's customers flying with Cyprus Airways to Europe return from the Gulf island. Cyprus  Airways also flies to Cyprus twice a week from Bahrain as it does from Saudi Arabia where fares are also being re-assessed.

And C.K. Hussain, Cyprus Airways' Dubai station manager, points out that the airline is offering special three nights/four days packages in Cyprus from Dubai staying at four-star hotels starting at Dhs 1,630 on the European sector. The offer includes return air fare from Dubai, hotel accommodation in Cyprus and breakfast.