Cyprus Airways (CY, Larnaca (LCA)) and its trade unions, PEO and SEK, have reached a compromise which will see half the loss-making carrier's workforce laid off in order to save the airline from closing outright. As part of the government-backed cost cutting drive, 490 staff are to be made redundant, wage cuts will be enforced, and the airline's fleet will be reduced to six aircraft. The deal was struck following reports that negotiations with Lebanon's MEA - Middle East Airlines (ME, Beirut Rafic Hariri International (BEY)) had collapsed under unclear circumstances. According to Lebanon's Daily Star, part of the blame for the deal's fall-through was attributed to Lebanese Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, who refused to commit Central Bank funding to MEA's proposed total buyout of Cyprus Airways, claiming it would have "presented too many risks to the country's already fragile monetary and economic climate."

MEA - Middle East Airlines (ME, Beirut Rafic Hariri International (BEY)) has thrown its hat into the proverbial ring with Lebanese reports now claiming the carrier is in talks to acquire ailing Cyprus Airways (CY, Larnaca (LCA)). According to a report in the Lebanese paper, The Daily Star, highly confidential talks are ongoing though no mention is made as to whether the Beirut-based airline "would seek to buy part or all of the Cypriot national carrier". The report goes on to speculate that MEA "could benefit from Cyprus Airways’ low cost of operation and expand the network of its flights abroad”. Negotiations are set to reach a decision "by the end of May."

MEA - Middle East Airlines (ME, Beirut Rafic Hariri International (BEY)) has finalized its order for A320neo family aircraft originally announced back in July 2012 when it had signed a Letter of Intent with Airbus Industrie (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac (TLS)). It has now confirmed the order for five A320neo and five A321neo aircraft while securing options for additional eight A320neos. MEA currently operates 10 A320-200s, four A321-200s and four A330-200s.

MEA - Middle East Airlines (ME, Beirut Rafic Hariri International (BEY)) has signed a letter of intent with Airbus Industrie (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac (TLS)) agreeing to order five A320neo and five A321neo aircraft and to take an additional eight options that can be converted into firm orders for either of the two types.

MEA - Middle East Airlines (ME, Beirut Rafic Hariri International (BEY)) has officially joined Skyteam on June 28 as the alliance's 17th member and the second carrier in the Middle East after Saudia (SV, Jeddah King Abdul Aziz (JED)). MEA currently serves 29 destinations in Africa, Europe and the Middle East from Beirut with a fleet of 9 A320-200s, 4 A321-200s and 4 A330-200s.