Flydubai crash pilot was about to quit airline

Dubai: Aristos Sokratous, the Cypriot pilot of the flydubai jet that crashed in southern Russia, had informed the airline that he was leaving for a job with Ryanair on Monday, a source close to Sokratous told Gulf News.

Sokratous, recently married and expecting a son with his wife, was just days away from starting a new life back home in Cyprus.

The friend told The Associated Press that Socratous was an experienced pilot who had no complaints or problems with flydubai. He said Sokratous was “very happy” about flydubai promoting him to full captain a year and a half ago.

The president of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, sent his condolences to the family of Sokratous.

“Especially to those close to Aristos Sokratous, the President of the Republic expresses his deepest condolences, and his support towards them,” Anastasiades said in a statement.

– With inputs from AP

Source: Gulf news