The strategic advantages offered by Cyprus as a base for an internationally recognised Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) company have been analysed by Frederic Pralus, Chief Executive Officer of Bird Aviation.
In a video interview for Hermes Airports' Flight Mode online magazine, he says, "For Bird Aviation, being based in Cyprus gives us a strategic advantage. We are positioned at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa."
In the same intervew, Pralus also explains the benefits that arise for Cyprus both in terms of employment and economic contribution as well as in terms of strengthening the country's position in the regional aviation market.
"Bird Aviation has a meaningful impact on Cyprus, both in employment and in the wider economy. This is not only about the significant amounts already invested in the projects I mentioned earlier, but also about our future expansion plans," he notes, adding, "Based on our projections, in the coming years we will create more than 100 additional high-skilled positions and contribute over six million euros in social contributions and taxes."
Pralus also presents the company's development path over the last decade, with emphasis on the significant investments in the old airport facilities, the strengthening of infrastructure and the steady increase in human resources.
At the same time, he presents the investment plan the company currently has underway, which includes the further expansion of the facilities and the creation of the Aviation Maintenance Academy in collaboration with Cypriot academic institutions.
The full interview, in English, can be viewed below:
What does it mean for Bird Aviation to have its base in Cyprus?
For Bird Aviation, being based in Cyprus gives us a strategic advantage. We are positioned at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Regions with high aircraft traffic and growing fleets. For many operators, Cyprus is the closest and most easily accessible entry point into Europe. So, when they look for top-quality MRO services under European authorities’ oversight, they choose Cyprus, they choose Bird Aviation.
How did Bird Aviation begin, and what have been the major milestones in its development? What do you consider the key factors behind your growth and establishment?
Bird Aviation started almost ten years ago with a clear goal: to build a reliable MRO organisation capable of supporting airlines with the consistency and flexibility they need. We began with a small setup, investing heavily in the refurbishment of the old hangar at the former airport, in new equipment, and of course in attracting skilled people. And we have been fortunate, because Cyprus has very capable aircraft engineers.
Through methodical work and consistency, we managed to grow step by step. Among the key milestones I would highlight the renovation of our initial facilities, securing approvals from several civil aviation authorities beyond the Cypriot DCA, completing the construction of our second hangar at the end of last year, and beginning the works for our third hangar.
On the people side, the two most important achieved milestones were
- exceeding 150 employees within our first five years of operation, and
- today surpassing 250 and aiming for 400 in the coming years.
I believe these numbers clearly show the growth path of our organisation.
What are the main benefits for Cyprus from the operation of a company like Bird Aviation?
Bird Aviation has a meaningful impact on Cyprus, both in employment and in the wider economy. This is not only about the significant amounts already invested in the projects I mentioned earlier, but also about our future expansion plans.
Based on our projections, in the coming years we will create more than 100 additional high-skilled positions and contribute over six million euros in social contributions and taxes.
And to achieve these numbers, we will complete the setup of the Aviation Maintenance Academy with Cypriot universities and schools.
In a different vein, a simple number, Bird Aviation is spending more than one million euros per year for accommodation of its employees and this during the low touristic season.
But apart from these obvious economic and social benefits, I’d also like to underline our role in strengthening Cyprus’s position in the region. When international operators choose Cyprus over other nearby markets, it brings long-term advantages that go well beyond our own organisation.
Could you tell us a few words about the investments you made at the old airport and the recent expansion of your facilities, and what new opportunities this creates?
Our recent investment includes the construction of a new hangar that adds a third maintenance bay and significantly increases our capacity. This project is actually the midpoint of our wider investment plan. By the end of this plan, we expect to operate six bays in total, including space for wide-body aircraft and the capability to support a broader range of aircraft types.
This expansion allows us to serve more customers at the same time and plan long-term maintenance programmes with much greater flexibility. And I am confident that throughout this journey, all the organisations involved -Hermes Airports, the Department of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance- will continue to be valuable and supportive partners.
This interview first appeared in Hermes Airports' Flight Mode online magazine. Click here to view it.
