November 28 (SeeNews) - Romanian low-cost carrier Blue Air is considering the launch of two new routes from Bucharest in 2018, to Georgia's Tbilisi and Egypt's Cairo, the ministry of business, commerce and entrepreneurship said on Tuesday.
Blue Air has expressed readiness to make the two new connections starting next year following a discussion with the ministry which plans to boost economic relations with the two countries.
Ilan Laufer, minister of business, commerce and entrepreneurship, has assured Blue Air of the government's complete cooperation in establishing the connections, the ministry said in a press release.
The need for these routes is essential for the growth of bilateral economic relations, it added.
In October, Blue Air said it launched a new route from the northwestern city of Cluj to Israel's Tel Aviv. At the beginning of the year, Blue Air started operating a route from Bucharest to Tel Aviv.
In June, the air carrier concluded a long-term lease agreement with US-based Air Lease Corporation (ALC) for six new Boeing 737 MAX 8 and six used 737-800 aircraft. Also, it has placed an order for six 737 MAXs 8 aircraft with Boeing and reserved the right to buy another two such aircraft under the newly signed contract.
Blue Air, the only air carrier in Romania with 100% Romanian capital, started operations in December 2004. In 2013, it was taken over by Airline Management Solutions Company in a 30 million euro ($35.6 million) deal.
The air carrier has bases in Romania, Italy, the United Kingdom and Cyprus. Since 2016, it has become the largest Romanian airline by scheduled passengers flown, operating flights to more than 100 destinations in 16 countries.
($= 0.8416 euro)