The Cyprus Environment Ministry has published on its website a study on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Larnaca Airport Expansion and Modernisation Project.
It provides information on the work to be carried out in the second phase, following the extension of the concession agreement between the island's government and Hermes.
The main objective of the new phase is to increase the airport's capacity to 12 million passengers per year in order to meet the growing demand for air transport and to reinforce Cyprus' status as a major tourist and transit hub in the region.
It should be noted that the total budget for the project is approximately €95 million, of which €77 million will be spent on the expansion of the terminal and €18 million on the improvement of the runway and ancillary infrastructure of the air hub.
According to the release, new passport control and security areas will be located on the departures level. The existing areas will be converted into commercial space and passenger lounges. There are also plans to build a new wing with additional boarding gates, including the possibility of installing jet bridges and adding a second floor for future connection to a potential second terminal.
Two new baggage reclaim carousels will also be installed at Larnaca Airport, with the option to add a third if required, which will reduce waiting times and improve passenger service efficiency. The eastern extension of the runway will be carried out with the possibility of later conversion to a two-runway configuration, which will increase the airport's operational flexibility.
Construction is expected to start in the first half of 2025 and be completed within 24 months. This will enable Larnaca Airport to effectively handle growing passenger traffic and strengthen its position as a major aviation hub in the Eastern Mediterranean. Hermes Airports noted that once the work is complete, Cyprus will be able to:
- Attract more tourists, especially during the high season.
- Optimise the operation of Larnaca Airport by speeding up the boarding and disembarking of passengers.
- Increase competitiveness among Mediterranean hubs.
- Ensure passenger comfort through modern facilities.
This project marks a new stage in the development of air transport on the island, making Larnaca Airport more convenient, efficient and technologically advanced.