Filenews 17 December 2024 - by Angelos Nicolaou
The environmental studies for the expansion of Larnaka and Pafos Airports have been submitted for public consultation until 15 January 2025. Hermes Airports, responsible for the management and operation of Larnaka and Pafos airports, has prepared, within the framework of the concession agreement, plans for the expansion of the existing airport facilities and the compliance of the airports with the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Extensions to buildings and the runway are proposed with works expected to start in the first months of 2025. The overall cost estimate of the project for Larnaka Airport is approximately €95 million and Paphos Airport at €75 million.
It is noted that Hermes Airports has submitted an application to obtain planning consent for the implementation of the expansion of the two airports within the demarcated areas for airport development purposes. La Solas Services Ltd proceeded to the preparation of two separate environmental impact assessment studies for the expansion projects of international airports.
The projects needed to expand airports in order to allow for the expected increase in passenger traffic require a new Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (EIA) study, which must be carried out in accordance with national regulations and international standards.
All studies related to the project were undertaken by Bouygues Batiment International and Egis Aviation, while the NPTC is undertaken by Egis Structures et Environment with the Cypriot consulting firm La Solas Services Ltd.
The proposed expansion works of Phase 2 of Pafos International Airport are expected to take approximately 18 months from site preparation and excavations to testing and operation of the new airport facilities. The works will include the following: Construction of an additional section of the southern parallel taxiway, with all necessary lighting and safety requirements, and extension of the existing terminal to provide capacity suitable for an annual throughput of five million passengers. It is noted that there was an increase in passenger traffic from about 2 million passengers in 2007 to more than 3 million passengers in 2023.
The overall estimate of the cost of the project amounts to approximately €75 million, of which €38 million concerns the construction of a supplementary new southern parallel tramway with all the necessary lighting and safety requirements and the remaining €37 million the expansion of the terminal.
The proposed expansion works of Phase 2 of Larnaka International Airport are expected to take approximately 24 months from site preparation and excavations to testing and operation of the new airport facilities.
The expansion of the existing terminal is to provide capacity suitable for 12.5 million passengers per year. Larnaka Airport saw an increase in passenger traffic from 5 million passengers in 2007 to over 8 million passengers in 2023.
The overall estimate of the cost of the project is approximately €95 million. The extension of the building to the eastern part of the terminal and the west wing at a cost of €77 million. and the extension of the runway and relocation of ancillary facilities €18 million.
The works will include the following: Extension of the building of the existing new terminal to the east, on the departure level the space will be used to house departure passport control and security functions. It is considered that no additional check-in space is required. This area will not need to be directly connected to the road network via a bridge.
The existing passport control and security area will be reused to provide additional commercial space, including adequate seating for the public.
The area of the departure gates will be extended to the west through a connected "wing", which will house new departure gates which will be used for the entry/exit of passengers. The design of the project foresees the construction of the gate area at ground level, with the possibility to add passenger boarding bridges (PBBs) and an additional deck above the new departure gates, in such a way as to enable future connectivity with the possible second terminal to be built in Phase 3; according to the Master Plan.
The design considers various means of transporting people for the gradual transition of passengers from level 2 to the area of the ground floor gates. Similarly, arriving passengers should be transferred to level 1 to join arrivals without obstructing the flow of departures.
Demonstrate how the terminal could operate in a Schengen environment while maintaining the level of service for peak Schengen and non-Schengen passenger loading separately. This will be done through flexible use of gates and/or a second immigration check for the new wing.
The baggage compartment will be reconfigured to allow the installation of two additional carousels.
The baggage claim area will be expanded to accommodate at least one more carousel with space to add another carousel if needed (activation mechanism to be agreed) with suitable baggage unloading area.
The extension of the eastern runway will be designed based on the concept of one tramway entry/exit lane, but in such a way as to allow easy conversion to a double tramway lane configuration at a later stage.
Concerns, but also understanding by residents according to study
Hermes Airports Ltd has focused on maximizing the sustainability of airport facilities through the selection of the best available technique that does not entail excessive costs such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
At the stage of the concession agreement in 2006, Hermes undertook to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). During the preparation of the study, a consultation was carried out which highlighted a number of issues and concerns. Areas of concern include air noise, particularly in relation to the possible increase in the number and frequency of flights; health concerns, particularly in relation to potential impacts on local air quality, which may lead to respiratory problems in some people in the local community; and general concerns that the overall quality of life of local residents will decrease if the airport is developed.
It is noted, however, that there is an understanding that the project will bring positive changes and long-term benefits for Cyprus, especially in relation to tourism. In addition, there was a significant positive response to the public consultation process.
