View source for Cobalt Air

{{For|the American fractional ownership airline|PlaneSense}}{{Short description|Former Cypriot airline}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Cobalt Air
| image = Cobalt Air Logo.svg
| image_size = 200
| aoc =
| fleet_size = 6
| destinations = 23
| IATA = CO
| ICAO = FCB
| callsign = APOLLO
| headquarters = [[Nicosia]], Cyprus<ref name="Company Info"/>
| founded = {{start date|27 November 2015|df=yes}}<ref name="Company Info"/>
| commenced = {{start date|2016|6|1|df=yes}}<ref name="Company Info"/>
| ceased = 17 October 2018
| key_people = Petros Souppouris ([[CEO]]); Guy Maclean ([[Accountable Manager]])
| hubs = {{nowrap|[[Larnaca International Airport]]}}
| focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer = Cobalt Elements<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cobaltelements.com/|title=Cobalt Elements|website=cobaltelements.com|access-date=2018-09-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907071039/https://cobaltelements.com/|archive-date=2018-09-07|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| parent =
| num_employees = 350 approx (2017)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/company/10562957/|title=COBALT AERO|website=Linkedin|access-date=2018-01-04}}</ref>
| frequent flyer =
| lounge =
| subsidiaries =
| website = {{URL|www.cobalt.aero}}
}}
'''Cobalt Air'''<ref name="Company Info">{{cite web|url=https://centreforaviation.com/data/profiles/airlines/cobalt-air-co|title=Cobalt Aero|website=cobalt.aero|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> was a [[Cyprus|Cypriot]] [[airline]] headquartered in [[Nicosia]]<ref name="Company Info"/> based out of [[Larnaca International Airport]].
The airline operated its maiden flight on 1 June 2016 from Larnaca to Athens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/06/03/cobalt-new-airline-cyprus-conquers-skies/|title=COBALT – the new airline of Cyprus – conquers the skies.|date=2016-06-03|website=cyprus-mail.com|access-date=2018-01-04}}</ref> It was the second Cypriot airline after [[Tus Airways]] to be established since the dissolution of [[flag carrier]] [[Cyprus Airways (1947–2015)|Cyprus Airways]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://in-cyprus.com/first-cobalt-air-flights-in-junefirst-cobalt-air-flights-in-june/ |title=First Cobalt Air flights in June |date=2016-03-02 |access-date=May 2, 2016 |author=Leonidou, John |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404233543/http://in-cyprus.com/first-cobalt-air-flights-in-junefirst-cobalt-air-flights-in-june/ |archive-date=April 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> From June 2017 until October 2018, it was the second largest airline at Larnaca International Airport with 8.2% of weekly capacity after [[Aegean Airlines]], and was predicted to become the largest airline by summer 2018 following expansion and the subsequent reduction by Aegean in Larnaca.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.anna.aero/2017/06/15/cobalt-prepares-to-go-long-haul/|title=Cobalt, Cyprus' leading airline, prepares to go long-haul |last=Ford |first=Johnathan |date=2017-06-15|website=anna.aero|access-date=2017-06-21}}</ref> However, Cobalt Air ceased all operations on 17 October 2018 facing financial difficulties.<ref name="ch-aviation"/>
==History==
The first [[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A320]] aircraft arrived in April 2016 and the airline was granted an [[air operator's certificate]] (AOC) on 18 May 2016 following a test flight between Larnaca and Heraklion. According to chairman Gregory Diacou, Cobalt planned to receive another three aircraft of the same type by the end of June 2016.<ref name="a320">{{Cite web|url=http://in-cyprus.com/cobalt-officially-cyprus-new-airline/ |title=COBALT officially Cyprus' new airline |date=2016-05-18 |website=InCyprus |language=en-GB |access-date=2016-05-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519102637/http://in-cyprus.com/cobalt-officially-cyprus-new-airline/ |archive-date=2016-05-19 }}</ref> Following the successful completion of its maiden flight from Larnaca to Athens, Cobalt on 14 June 2016 began selling tickets from Larnaca on the Athens route as well as on 5 other new routes for the airline to Dublin, Heraklion, London–Stansted, Manchester and Thessaloniki.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anna.aero/2016/07/12/cobalt-takes-to-the-skies-from-cyprus/|title=Cobalt takes to the skies from Cyprus|date=2016-07-12|website=anna.aero|access-date=2017-06-21}}</ref>
On 4 March 2017, it was announced by the transport minister of Cyprus that Cobalt would operate the route from Paphos to Athens after [[Ryanair]] stopped operating the route in late March.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/03/04/cobalt-fill-ryanairs-paphos-athens-gap|title=Cobalt to fill Ryanair's Paphos-Athens gap|date=4 March 2017|website=cyprus-mail.com|language=en-GB|access-date=5 March 2017}}</ref> In May 2017, the airline announced that it would add five rows of 'economy comfort seats' to its 6 aircraft, to be sold at an additional fee at the airport, or as business-class seats in a 2x2. A frequent flyer program was to be implemented.<ref name=":0" /> In August 2017, the airline announced plans to fit its fleet with onboard Wi-Fi available to passengers, part of a move from the airline's original low-cost approach to more of a full-service model.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://aviationweek.com/connected-aerospace/cobalt-air-install-onboard-wi-fi|title=Cobalt Air To Install Onboard Wi-Fi|date=14 August 2017|website=aviationweek.com|language=en-GB|access-date=29 August 2017}}</ref>
In May 2018, the airline announced it would be using a portable wireless IFE platform called Bluebox Wow to introduce IFE across its fleet.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aircraftinteriorsinternational.com/news/inflight-entertainment/cobalt-air-adds-ife-across-a320a319-fleet-using-portable-wireless-platform.html|title=Cobalt Air adds IFE across A320/A319 fleet, using portable wireless platform|date=25 May 2018|website=aircraftinteriorsinternational.com|language=en-GB|access-date=27 May 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://cobalt.aero/node/202|title=Fleet-wide IFE enhancement aboard expanding Cyprus carrier's Airbus A320/A319 fleet|date=25 May 2018|website=cobalt.aero|language=en-GB|access-date=27 May 2018}}</ref>
In June 2018, Cobalt signed an agreement with [[Etihad Airways]] to allow passengers to check their bags through on connecting flights to destinations on the over 100 routes on the Etihad network.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://buyingbusinesstravel.com/news/0828930-cobalt-air-signs-interline-agreement-etihad|title=Cobalt Air signs interline agreement with Etihad|date=8 June 2018|website=buyingbusinesstravel.com|language=en-GB|access-date=13 June 2018}}</ref>
On 17 October 2018, Cobalt Airways suspended all operations indefinitely due to financial difficulties.<ref name="ch-aviation">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/71904-cypruss-cobalt-to-suspend-operations|website=ch-aviation.com|title=Cyprus's Cobalt to suspend operations|date=17 October 2018}}</ref> The last flight to land was CO327 from [[Heathrow Airport|London-Heathrow]] to [[Larnaca International Airport|Larnaca]], which arrived at 00:10 local time on 18 October 2018.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
On 2 November 2018, it was reported that A Cypriot Administrative Court had temporarily reinstated Cobalt's Air Transport License (ATL) after overturning an earlier Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) decision to withdraw it. This was due to a request from [[Virgin Atlantic]], who had leased London Heathrow slots to Cobalt and was in danger of losing them given the cancellation of Cobalt's operating licences. As such, in addition to saving the UK carrier's Heathrow slots, the formal reinstatement of Cobalt's ATL would allow the Cypriot carrier to continue its hunt for a Good Samaritan investor willing to revive its operations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/72419-cypriot-court-temporarily-reinstates-cobalts-atl|title=Cypriot court temporarily reinstates Cobalt's ATL|date=5 November 2018|website=ch-aviation.com|language=en-GB|access-date=5 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2018/11/02/court-injunction-suspends-decision-to-revoke-cobalt-licences/|title=Court injunction suspends decision to revoke Cobalt licences|date=2 November 2018|website=cyprus-mail.com|language=en-GB|access-date=5 November 2018}}</ref> On 5 November, the day of the court case, it was reported Virgin had withdrawn the legal bid against the airline. This led to the suspension of the airline's ATL for a second time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/72557-virgin-withdraws-cobalt-legal-bid-atl-suspended-again|title=Virgin withdraws Cobalt legal bid, ATL suspended again|date=5 November 2018|website=ch-aviation.com|language=en-GB|access-date=5 November 2018}}</ref>
==Destinations==
As of February 2018, Cobalt Air flew to 23 destinations in 13 countries, all in [[Europe]], [[Russia]] and the [[Middle East]]. Prior to the closure of the airline, several network expansions were planned. The airline's previous CEO, Andrew Madar, stated that an aircraft could be based at [[Paphos International Airport]] from winter 2017/18, operating flights to Birmingham, Brussels, Dublin and London–Stansted.<ref name="future">{{Cite news|url=http://cyprustraveller.com/interview-cobalt-cyprus-5870-2/|title=INTERVIEW: Cobalt connecting Cyprus with the world|date=7 June 2017|work=Cyprus Traveller|access-date=21 June 2017}}</ref>
In August 2017, the airline announced two new routes from Larnaca to Frankfurt and London–Gatwick. The airline also announced its intention to launch operations to Moscow from Larnaca by the end of the year. It initially intended to launch the service to Moscow in summer 2017, but failed to complete the formalities on time, subsequently the route is planned to launch in late March 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cobalt.aero|title=Home - Cobalt Aero|website=cobalt.aero|access-date=15 November 2017}}</ref> The airline also stated its interest in operating to Saint Petersburg in the near future.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.rusaviainsider.com/cypriot-cobalt-air-lauch-flights-moscow-year-end/|title=Cypriot Cobalt Air to {{sic|lau|ch|nolink=y}} flights to Moscow before year-end|date=29 August 2017|work=www.rusaviainsider.com}}</ref>
In March 2018, it was announced the airline would start a route from [[Athens]] to London-Gatwick, its first route to not originate from Cyprus, its home base.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/300022/cypriot-carrier-cobalt-air-to-operate-gatwick-athens-route|title=Cypriot carrier Cobalt Air to operate Gatwick-Athens route|date=19 March 2018|work=travelweekly.co.uk}}</ref>
Towards the end it began flying to Heathrow Airport in England too.
==Fleet==
[[File:5B-DCV (40032342932).jpg|thumb|Cobalt Air [[Airbus A319-100]]]]
[[File:Cobalt Air A320 (5B-DCR) @ LHR, Aug 2018 (02).jpg|thumb|Cobalt Air [[Airbus A320-200]]]]
As of 30 June 2018, the Cobalt fleet consisted of the following aircraft:<ref>Cyprus Aircraft Register As At 30 June 2018, pages 5-6</ref><ref name="fleet">{{Cite web|url=https://cobalt.aero/fleet|title=Fleet|website=cobalt.aero|language=English|access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center;margin:auto;"
|+ Cobalt Air fleet
|-
!rowspan="2"|Aircraft
!rowspan="2" |In Service
!rowspan="2" |Orders
!colspan="3"|Passengers
!rowspan="2" |Notes
|-
!<abbr title="Business">C</abbr>
!<abbr title="Economy">Y</abbr>
!Total
|-
|[[Airbus A319|Airbus A319-100]]
|2
|&mdash;
|&mdash;
|144
|144<ref name="fleet"/>
|
|-
|[[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A320-200]]
|4
|&mdash;
|12
|144
|156<ref name="fleet"/>
|
|-
|[[Airbus A330|Airbus A330-200]]
|&mdash;
|2
|N/A
|N/A
|N/A
|The airline was shut down and never received the aircraft
|-
!Total
!6
!2
!colspan="4"|
|}
==Services==
===Aircraft cabins===
Cobalt Air offered business class on selected routes operated by [[Airbus A320]] aircraft but the airline's fleet of [[Airbus A319]]s did not feature the business class offering. Business class featured 12 large leather seats in a 2 by 2 configuration. Passengers were offered priority boarding, a dedicated check-in desk, spacious seating and an extensive dining menu that could be ordered at a time of customer's choice. In addition, Business Class passengers had access to a business class lounge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cobalt.aero/businessclass|title=Business class|website=cobalt.aero|language=English|access-date=13 June 2018}}</ref> In economy class passengers are offered a Buy-on-board service.
===In-flight entertainment===
The airline offered in flight entertainment through a portable wireless IFE platform called Bluebox Wow. Bluebox Wow was a portable, lunchbox-sized unit. Each box's single, swappable and rechargeable battery could deliver up to 15 hours of streamed video content. Cobalt Air had specified three Bluebox Wow units per aircraft, which are secured in the overhead lockers.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto1"/>
===Frequent flyer program===
In September 2018, Cobalt Air launched a passenger recognition programme ''Cobalt Elements''. The recognition card offered benefits including seat upgrades, fare discounts, priority check-in/boarding, increased baggage allowance, a dedicated support line and other incentives to frequent flyer members across the Cobalt network. Members received a Cobalt Elements black card and premium baggage tags. Elements vouchers could be used to upgrade flights. An annual membership included three complimentary upgrade vouchers from economy to business class. Additional upgrade vouchers could be purchased at a discount. Elements members also received a 10% discount on Cobalt's lowest fares.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cobalt.aero/cobalt-elements|title=COBALT AIR LAUNCHES COBALT ELEMENTS RECOGNITION CARD|website=cobalt.aero|language=en-GB|access-date=3 October 2018}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* [http://www.mcw.gov.cy/mcw/dca/dca.nsf/All/26F17BEC7F5D3713C22582C60023DCC9/$file/AIRCRAFT%20REGISTER%20%2030%20%20JUN%202018.pdf Cyprus Aircraft Register As At 30 June 2018], retrieved 29 July 2018 via {{cite web |url=http://www.mcw.gov.cy/mcw/dca/dca.nsf/DMLregister_en/DMLregister_en?OpenDocument |title=Cyprus Aircraft Register |date=30 June 2018 |website=mcw.gov.cy |publisher=Republic of Cyprus Department of Civil Aviation |location=Nicosia, Cyprus |access-date=29 July 2018}}
==External links==
{{Commons category inline|Cobalt Air}}
* {{official website|http://www.cobalt.aero/}}
{{Portalbar|Cyprus|Companies|Aviation}}
{{Airlines of Cyprus}}
{{IATA members|europe}}
[[Category:Airlines established in 2015]]
[[Category:2015 establishments in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2018]]
[[Category:2018 disestablishments in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Defunct airlines of Cyprus]]
[[Category:Companies based in Nicosia]]