Cyprus investigates Helios license

Cyprus is probing whether Helios airlines should have been granted an operating permit when it was set up in 1999.

One of the company´s jets crashed near Athens a week ago with the loss of all 121 people on board – the worst air disaster in Greek history. The investigation comes after press reports suggested that the international body which oversees air transport, the ICAO, was against the previous Cypriot government´s decision to give Helios a license. The ICAO apparently had doubts about the carrier and about the legislation in place to monitor it. The company´s two other Boeing 737´s are currently in Sweden for comprehensive safety checks. It is thought last Sunday´s crash happened after a sudden depressurisation problem knocked out the captain and the co-pilot. The crew had apparently reported difficulties with the plane´s air conditioning system earlier in the flight.

Copyright © 2012 euronews