Cyprus
2.2 Cyprus Aviation

Cyprus Aviation 

Key airport information may also be found at: World Aero Data Website information on Cyprus

In 1999, Cyprus had 12 airports with paved runways. Of them, seven had runways of lengths between 2,438 and 3,047 metres, one had a length between 1,524 and 2,437 metres, three had lengths between 914 and 1524 metres, and one had a length less than 914 metres.
Of the three airports with unpaved runways, two had lengths less than 914 metres and one had a length between 914 and 1524 metres.
In 1999, Cyprus had six heliports and two international airports: Larnaca International Airport and Paphos International Airport. Nicosia International Airport has been closed since 1974.
The main airport of the newly established Republic of Cyprus in 1960 was in Nicosia. It was built during the British Administration of the island and served both Civil Aviation and the Royal Air Force (RAF). The development of the Nicosia Airport was linked to the growing tourist industry and in the late 60's a new terminal building was commissioned. Unfortunately, the course of events changed due to the Turkish invasion of 1974 after which, the premises of the airport came under United Nations administration. As a result, since February 1975, air traffic was catered for through the Larnaka Airport which was created at the site of an airport and landing strip of the RAF which had been abandoned in the late 40s. The Pafos Airport opened for operations in November 1983 to primarily serve the tourism industry of the region of Pafos.
As a tourist and island nation, Cyprus is highly dependent on aviation. The majority of passengers use air transport to arrive to Cyprus. The rise of tourism in Cyprus unfortunately was not matched by simultaneous development of airport infrastructure. Often, problems that would arise during peak hours created a negative image to the traveling public. It was deemed necessary to further develop the airports. In order to avoid burdening the national Budget, and by example of international practice, the Government decided to involve the private sector in the development of the two airports in 2001.

The modernization process of the Cypriot airports at Larnaka and Pafos has progressed with the selection of the private consortium Hermes Airports, which has undertaken the construction of new facilities via the method of B.O.T (Build, Operate, Transfer) and the management of the above airports for a time span of 25 years, ratified by an agreement that was signed on May 12, 2006. The consortium had taken over existing facilities after having made improvements to them, up until the construction of the new facilities.
Hermes Airports has completed the construction of new facilities at Larnaka and Pafos in accordance with the agreed time frame and the general master plan prepared by the company ADP (Aeroport de Paris). The new terminal building at Larnaka Airport was commissioned in November 2009 and has a capacity of 7.5 million passengers per year. Provisions for further expansion and construction of a second parallel runway are envisaged for the future if deemed necessary. The new building at Pafos Airport started operations in November 2008 and the terminal building has a capacity of 2.7 million passengers per year. The size of the two terminal buildings is such that with respect to passenger convenience, and according to the specifications of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the level of service provided is B and C , for Larnaka and Pafos respectively.
Up to the time after which the management of the airports was granted to the company Hermes (12/05/2006), the Department of Civil Aviation was responsible for their operation. In light of the new state of play, the Department’ s role has been modified, and it now has a supervisory role in matters concerning Civil Aviation (Security) and licensing/certification of airports in accordance with Annex 14 (Aerodromes) of the Treaty of Chicago.
Concurrently, in 2008 the monopoly in the area of ground handling and ramp aircraft servicing changed following the release of tenders after which two private consortia undertook the work. Authorization to conduct the work is valid for seven years and both the Department and the airport operator have a supervisory role exercising quality control for the provision of the said services.
The liberalization of air transport, combined with the development of the airports is expected to create opportunities to transform Cyprus into a regional transit hub between Europe and the Middle East. The modern facilities of the two new airports, which provide a high level of service, will contribute decisively in order to achieve this goal.

For information on Cyprus Department of Civil Aviation, please see the following documents:

Department of Civil Aviation Information

Department of Civil Aviation Information Structure

Note: The information provided in the attached documents, which has been taken from the old DLCA, does not match the structure of the new LCA and is therefore provided separately.

For information on Cyprus aviaiton contact details, please see the following link: 

4.4 Cyprus Airport Company Contact List

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