How the airports in Larnaca and Paphos will expand to serve 17 million passengers annually

The Department of Environment has given the green light for the expansion of the international airports of Larnaca and Paphos, with the aim of expanding the development prospects of Cyprus' connectivity.

Based on the special ecological impact assessment reports on protected areas, the expansion projects aim to provide capacity for the airports to serve a total of 17 million passengers per year.

Larnaka Airport

The project for the development of ‘Phase B' projects at Larnaka International Airport concerns the expansion of the existing terminal to provide capacity suitable for 12 million passengers per year and the creation of a new aircraft parking area.

It is noted that all elements of the expansion project are located within the airport perimetre, on land owned by the airport and managed by Hermes Airports Ltd, as concessionaire. The projects mainly concern the expansion of the west wing, the expansion of the east terminal and the expansion of the east aircraft parking area.

More specifically, it will mainly concern:

• The extension of the terminal building 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 retail space,
• The expansion of departure gates to the west via a connected wing that will house new departure gates at ground level,
• The remodeling of the baggage make up area to install two additional baggage claim belts,
• The extension of the aircraft parking area in the east with the installation of an oil separator downstream of the parking area extension to prevent any pollution.

The Special Ecological Assessment Study concerning the Natura 2000 Network area, Special Area of ​​Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA) – Larnaca Salt Flats was examined by the ad-hoc Committee on 10 January, 2025.

The ad hoc Committee members with specialised knowledge, who are representatives of the Department of Environment, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, the Department of Forests, the Game and Fauna Service, the BirdLife Cyprus association, the Federation of Environmental Organisations in Cyprus (OPOK) and Terra Cypria – The Cyprus Conservation Foundation, as well as representatives of the Department of Water Development (WDD), due to their specialisation, took part in the examination of the study.

Pafos Airport

The ‘Phase B' project for the expansion of Pafos Airport consists of the construction of a new southern supplementary parallel runway, with all necessary lighting and safety requirements, and the expansion of the existing terminal to provide capacity suitable for an annual handling of five million passengers per year.

All elements of the expansion project are located within the airport perimetre, on land owned by the airport and managed by Hermes Airports Ltd as the concessionaire.

The projects mainly concern the expansion of the terminal to the east with the design and construction of an area equivalent to the existing arrival area and the surface area of ​​the new airport building to be constructed is estimated to be approximately 3,350 sq m.

Also, the parallel runway will be fully extended to the east, while to the west it will only be constructed to the point within the perimetre of the airport area.

The proposed design may include an angular connection of the taxiway with the runway to allow maximum use of the runway.

More specifically, it will mainly concern:

• The extension of the terminal to the east with the design and construction of a space equivalent to the existing arrival area (Aliens and Immigration - Passport Control Unit and baggage claim). The new space will house the operation of the Aliens and Immigration - Passport Control Unit in a similar space to the current one, as well as at least three baggage claim units of the same or greater length as the existing one. In addition, the design of the new space will allow for the provision of a fourth baggage claim area. The surface area of ​​the new airport building to be constructed is estimated to be approximately 3,350 sq m.
• The existing arrivals area will be reused to house security and liens and Immigration - Passport Control Unit functions and part of the space will be reconfigured to house at least two additional passenger gates, similar to the existing gates.
• The existing security/liens and Immigration - Passport Control Unit section area will be repurposed to accommodate a new screening area and allow for the expansion of the retail space. The ground-level restaurant will be relocated to an outdoor area.
• The commercial space will allow for more centrally located public seating.
• The parallel runway will be fully extended to the east, while to the west it will only be constructed to the point within the perimetre of the airport area. The proposed design may include an angular connection of the taxiway with the runway to allow for maximum runway utilisation.

The Special Ecological Assessment Study in the Natura 2000 Network area, Special Protection Area (SPA) ‘Estuary of the Ezousa, Xero and Diarizos rivers’ was examined by the ad-hoc Committee on 10 January, 2025.

Once again, the ad hoc Committee members with specialised knowledge, who are representatives of the Department of Environment, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, the Department of Forests, the Game and Fauna Service, the BirdLife Cyprus association, the Federation of Environmental Organisations in Cyprus (OPOK) and Terra Cypria – The Cyprus Conservation Foundation, as well as representatives of the Department of Water Development (WDD), due to their specialisation, took part in the examination of the study.

(Source: InBusinessNews)