Cyprus' Zela Aviation to have historical Greek and Cypriot aircraft restored
07:10 - 09 November 2023
Two historical aircraft recently acquired by the Cypriot company Zela Aviation are expected to evoke memories of another time once they are restored and put on display.
The two aircraft, which had been abandoned at the Hellenikon Airport since 2001, are a real treasure for the history of aviation in Greece and Cyprus, a relevant press release noted.
One is a BAC1-11 in the colours of the Hellenic Air Force, one of the few aircraft of this type worldwide, which belonged to the Cyprus Airways fleet for many years. Once the aircraft is restored, it will be donated to the Municipality of Lavrio to take a place next to the city's harbour. The initial idea was to transport the aircraft to Cyprus in the historic colours of Cyprus Airways, but at the current stage, the transportation process was deemed particularly difficult.
The second aircraft is a Boeing 727, acquired in 1968 by Aristotle Onassis for the legendary fleet of the Olympic Airways. After maintenance and renovation, this aircraft will be preserved until a final decision is made regarding the location where it will be displayed.
Andreas Christodoulides, the President of Zela Aviation, stated that these two aircraft are part of the history of Greek and Cypriot Aviation. The exhibition of these two aircraft to the public will provide an opportunity for people, especially the younger generation, to travel back in time and discover the fascinating world of the aviation industry.
It's worth noting that the transportation and reassembly of the two aircraft will be handled by the company Notis Cranes (www.notis.com.gr)