Filenews 21 July 2023 - by Dora Christodoulou
The surge in traffic at Pafos Airport during these two years brings to the fore in a very pressing way the need for extensions and improvements of both the unit's premises and the unfinished and obsolete access to it.
Pafos airport has skyrocketed in traffic numbers during the summer season, to the extent that the existing terminal is at its limits, tourist and other bodies in the province stress. There is an urgent need to implement the planning that already exists for the expansion of the facilities, they point out, before we reach points in the coming weeks to see hundreds of visitors again under the sun for hours until they are served. The expansion of the buildings is already on the table, as recently confirmed by the Minister of Transport, Alexis Vafeadis.
At the same time, the new road that will connect the airport with the tourist area is postponed due to ongoing environmental objections, while the old road through Timi is considered unsuitable to serve the current volume of traffic and especially the good image of Pafos as a level destination.
Given the new 'no' of the environmental authority to the promotion of the new road and with the aim of improving the existing one, the MP of AKEL Pafos, Valentinos Fakontis, sent a letter to the District Engineer of the Pafos Public Works Department.
In his démarche, Mr Fakontis stressed that this is an important road for the region, as it connects Pafos airport and the communities of the eastern region with the centre of Pafos. In addition, commercial activities are being developed on the sections adjacent to this road, further increasing traffic in the area, he observes.
The lack of street lighting on this road further increases the risk of serious road accidents, according to the AKEL MP. It is accepted by all stakeholders that the old Airport-Pafos road is very dangerous and needs immediate improvement. Valentinos Fakontis' letter to the Pafos Public Works Department, in an effort to speed up the procedures for improvement works, follows similar memoranda to the competent ministries through Parliament.
The interventions for the improvement of the existing road to and from Pafos International Airport are now beginning in parallel with the ongoing efforts of the Pafos district authorities to complete the new road that will connect the airport with the tourist area of Kato Pafos and later with the Paphos Marina, despite recent negative developments by the competent state departments.
