note
The airline was established as "Helios Airways" on 23 September 1998 and was the first independent privately owned airline in Cyprus. On 15 May 2000, it operated its first charter flight to London Gatwick. It was formed by the owners of TEA (Cyprus), a Cypriot offshore air operator specialising in Boeing 737 wet leases worldwide. Originally, it offered charter services and added scheduled services on 5 April 2001. Helios was acquired in 2004 by Libra Holidays Group of Limassol, Cyprus.
On 14 August 2005, Helios Airways Flight 522 crashed near Grammatiko, Greece, as the crew was incapacitated due to lack of oxygen. The investigation concluded that both maintenance crews and the pilots had failed to ensure the pressurization system was set to "auto", and as a result, the plane never pressurized. The accident revealed many problems with safety of the airline and lead to manslaughter charges against five airline officials.
On 14 March 2006 it was announced that Helios Airways would be rebranded as αjet and would withdraw from scheduled operations.
founded - demised (age)
May 15 2000 - March 14 2006 (6)
headquarters
Nietzsche Street, Ria Court 9, 1st Floor P.O. Box 43028, CY-6028, Larnaca
web
base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (0)
