Filenews 30 January 2025 - by Angelos Nicolaou
Mitigation measures to minimize the impact on the protected area of Larnaka Salt Lake, as well as the estuaries of the rivers Ezousa, Xeros and Diarizos, for the expansion of Larnaka and Pafos international airports, respectively, are proposed through Special Ecological Assessment Reports of the Environmental Authority.
The relevant studies have already been examined and now the environmental approvals and then the planning consent are pending, subject to the terms of the opinion. The aim is to start construction work by the end of March and therefore as soon as possible, even next week, it is estimated that all pending procedures will be completed.
For Larnaka Airport, the works concern expansion works of a total area of approximately 20,000 square meters of the terminal building, the construction of new passenger embarkation/disembarkation gates with the creation of a new wing that will be connected to the main building, as well as the increase of aircraft parking areas, while their completion duration is estimated at 30 months.
For Paphos Airport, the works increase the area of the building by approximately 30%, as well as extend the southern parallel taxiway to upgrade the safety and capacity of the runway/taxiway system, while the works are expected to be completed within 27 months of their commencement. The works are expected to significantly improve the passenger experience at every stage of their journey, enhancing capacity and comfort for passengers before boarding.
The extensions that will be made will be able to serve more than 17.5 million people. passengers, an increase of 43% compared to 12.2 million. in 2024. At Larnaka Airport, the expansion of the existing terminal concerns the provision of capacity suitable for an annual throughput of 12.5 million passengers per year and at Paphos Airport 5 million.
Based on the EDA Report on the expansion of Larnaka Airport, 10 specific measures were proposed for the protection of habitats and wildlife species, the conservation objectives of the area, as well as the species designated as the Special Protection Area. Similarly, for the expansion of Pafos Airport, 13 measures were taken to protect the Natura 2000 site.
At Larnaka Airport, all elements of the extension project are located within the perimeter of the airport, on land owned by the airport and managed by HERMES AIRPORTS Ltd as concessionaire. The projects mainly concern a west wing extension, an east terminal extension and an extension of an eastern apron. More specifically, the terminal building will be mainly extended to the east on the departure level to house departure passport control and security functions, and the existing passport control and security area will be used to provide additional commercial space. Further, westbound departure gates will be extended via a connected wing that will house new departure gates at ground level, as well as a reconfiguration of the luggage compartment to install two additional pick-up belts.
At Paphos Airport, the works mainly concern the extension of the terminal to the east with the design and construction of an area equivalent to the existing arrival area, and the surface of the new airport building to be constructed is estimated to be approximately 3,350 sq.m. Also, the parallel tramway will be fully extended to the east, while to the west it will be built only up to the point within the perimeter of the airport area. The proposed design may include an angular connection of the tramway to the runway to allow maximum use of the runway
