Cyprus Airways Mothballs Planes In State Aid Row

Cyprus Airways has suspended all flights after an order from the European Commission to repay £50 million of illegal state funding.

The airline’s fleet of Airbus 320 jets are mothballed on an airfield near Cardiff in a bid to stop officials impounding them if they land at other airports.

The European Commission ruled the company was not viable and would have collapsed if the funding had not been pumped in by the Cyprus government against state-aid rules.

Passengers with tickets can make alternative flight arrangements through a special deal set up by the government.

Travellers due to fly before February 9 should contact Top Kinisis Travel Public on 77 78 78 78 from within Cyprus or on +357 2286 9999 from overseas.

For passengers with tickets dated between February 10 and October 25 can contact any travel agent licensed by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation before February 28.

Leave Libya warning

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is warning travellers and expats to leave Libya due to ISIS linked terrorism.

The British Embassy in Tripoli has closed.

“The whole country is unstable due to fighting between militants battling for power and ISIS terrorism,” said an FCO spokesman.

This week, a hotel in Tripoli regularly used by foreigners was bombed. Nine people died in the explosion.

The FCO also explained kidnapping, sporadic gunfire and bomb attacks were likely to occur in major towns and cities, such as Tripoli, Benghazi and Tobruk.

Shopping centre riots

Visitors and expats in South Africa should be vigilant in shopping centres in Johannesburg and Pretoria neighbourhoods after looting and violent protest, says the FCO.

Offensive tattoos

Tourists visiting Burma are warned to observe strict religious laws.

Insulting religion can result in arrest – and the broad term includes showing any disrespectful image of Buddha, including tattoos, especially below the waist.

Anyone planning a visit is encouraged to check out how local laws and customs may affect them on the FCO web site.

 

Find latest travel warnings

• To check out the latest British government worldwide travel warnings, go to the FCO web site and select a country

• The US government also issues regular travel warnings online

• For ABTA travel information, visit their web site