Filenews 9 June 2025 - by Natasa Christoforou
The significant environmental, social and economic impacts that Larnaca suffers from the operation of the International Airport were recorded by a study by Grant Thornton, which demonstrated the need to provide compensation to the Municipalities of Larnaca and Dromolaxia-Meneos. The study was carried out on behalf of the Municipality of Larnaca and cites many examples of other cities, inside and outside the EU, that receive millions of euros in reciprocal fees in order to balance the impact.
It is noted that the two Municipalities have intensified their actions in recent months in order to secure compensation either in the form of a fixed annual compensation from the state, or as an amount of money per passenger. They even proposed the creation of a special fund to finance specific infrastructure projects. So far, their request has not been answered, however, they have made it clear that they will claim compensation with whatever means at their disposal, due to the planned expansion of the airport, which will significantly increase the impact.
The next step is to communicate to the relevant government departments the study by Grant Thornton, who developed an impact assessment model drawing on existing legislation, European directives, as well as good practices that have been implemented in other countries. The comparative evaluation, which was carried out on the basis of indicators, showed that the effects are greater than the positives resulting from the operation of the airport. As it is characteristically stated, "due to the absence of adequate and targeted mitigation measures, the environmental and socio-economic burdens of aviation development exceed the benefits it produces, thus limiting its positive contribution to the sustainable development of the region".
The negative consequences are divided into three categories which include the environmental impact, social and health impacts and development constraints resulting from the operation of the airport. Due to air traffic and the passage of a significant number of vehicles, it is found that air pollution in Larnaca significantly exceeds the international health limits for critical pollutants, making, as reported, "sustainable compensatory measures necessary". Larnaca International Airport records more than 40,000 aircraft movements annually and is located next to residential areas such as Dromolaxia, Meneou and Kiti.
It is estimated that between that more than 40,000 residents live within a 20-kilometer radius of the airport, "exposed to significant levels of hypermicroparticles (MSPs) emitted by aircraft," which have been associated, among other things, with respiratory diseases and cardiovascular disease.
In addition, it is indicated that noise pollution around Larnaca Airport systematically exceeds the limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the EU, causing serious risks to public health. That is why it is proposed to take measures, such as restricting night flights, soundproofing and creating low-noise zones. "Larnaca suffers from noise exceedances of 55 to 60 decibels, in violation of the limits of Directive 2002/49/EC. NO₂ and PM10 levels exceed the maximum permitted limits of Directive 2008/50/EC. The WHO has linked these values to a 10 to 20 percent increase in the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and respiratory problems. The vulnerable populations of the city – children, the elderly – are the first to be affected," it said.
The survey also showed that although Larnaca is home to the main international airport of Cyprus, it is further behind in terms of development than other coastal cities, such as Limassol and Paphos. "Despite the comparative advantages of its strategic location and Larnaca International Airport (LCA), the city has not been able to substantially capitalize on these elements. One of the causes seems to be the extensive land coverage and urban planning restrictions imposed by the operation of the airport, which limit urban and economic development in neighbouring areas," it is noted. For the urban planning restrictions around the airport, it is indicated that they exclude any tourist or commercial investment. "Zones such as Da2 and Ga2 have building coefficients of only 1% and 6% respectively, compared to the 40%-60% that applies in other developing areas. The tourist traffic in Larnaca is about 514,000 visitors per year, while Paphos welcomes 1.3 million," it is noted.
One of the most interesting findings of the study is the possible worsening of the overall consequences of the planned expansion of the airport. Specifically, it is stated that the increase in flights will lead to an increase in GHG emissions, burdening the surrounding areas more, that other parts of the city of Larnaca will begin to be affected, while health expenditures will increase, as it is noted, "due to a higher incidence of chronic diseases". For this reason, it is recommended to install HIA measuring stations around the airport, to carry out a Health Impact Assessment Study (HIA) for aviation pollution and to gradually switch to cleaner fuels with a low aromatic and sulphur content (SAFs), which reduce HIA by 70%.
The positive aspects of the operation of the airport include the creation of direct and indirect jobs, the stimulation of entrepreneurship and the increase of public revenues, as well as the improvement of the accessibility and attractiveness of Larnaca as a tourist and business destination.
Compensation of millions in other countries
The research carried out for the purposes of the study showed that in many cities affected by the operation of airports, significant compensators are offered. Through the evaluation of international practices, three main axes of the implementation of compensation policy were identified.
The first relates to the creation of environmental and social intervention funds, which are usually financed by passenger fees or operating revenues. Examples include Vancouver Airport in Canada, which has a zero-waste and sustainable construction strategy, and Arlanda Airport in Sweden, where more than €100 million has been invested to achieve energy neutrality. In Britain, Bristol Airport has set up a Compensation Bank for schools and green interventions. Based on these examples, Grant Thornton proposes the creation of a Rehabilitation and Social Reward Fund, which can be financed, as she notes, "even by a symbolic fee per passenger."
The second axis concerns direct compensation and support for residents. Of particular note is the practice followed at Heathrow Airport in Britain, where there is an audio compensation program worth €700 million, which provides support of up to £15,000 per residence. In Schiphol, the Netherlands, compensation reaches up to 20 kilometers from the runways, while in France more than 20,000 citizens have already been compensated on the basis of sound maps. The study proposes for Larnaca "the implementation of targeted compensation and sound insulation programs in the areas affected by noise and atmospheric pollution".
The third axis of compensatory policy concerns strategic development and infrastructure projects. An example is Barcelona Airport, which invested €1.7 billion over ten years to strategically connect with the city and local economies. Larnaca, it is indicated, "needs special development zones, functional reconnection of the coastal zone with the urban fabric and investments in public transport, which really serve its residents".
