On Thursday, June 5, a ceremony was held in Larnaca to mark the start of the second phase of the reconstruction of Larnaca and Paphos airports.
Cyprus President Nicos Christodoulides laid the symbolic "first stone" at the foundation of the large-scale project and a time capsule containing project documentation and modernization plans.
The ceremony was organised by Hermes Airports, which manages both of the island's airports. The ceremony was attended by the ministers of finance and justice, as well as other high-ranking officials. Before the start of the work, Metropolitan Nektarios gave his blessing.
Christodoulides was confident that all work would be completed on schedule and promised to return to the site for its grand opening. The president emphasised the importance of partnership between the public and private sectors in the implementation of such projects. He noted that the cooperation with Hermes Airports, which has been going on for almost two decades, serves as an example of such effective interaction. He is convinced that transparent planning and a reliable legal framework are the keys to the successful implementation of such initiatives.
Christodoulides also mentioned that the expansion of airports will contribute to achieving two "important goals": first, the island's presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026 and, second, Cyprus' plans to join the Schengen area.
We will complete all internal procedures for Schengen by the end of this year. This decision will bring significant benefits to Cyprus — political, economic, and security — Christodoulides said.
It is clear that the last two years — 2023 and 2024 — were record-breaking in terms of tourist arrivals.
The government's new goal is clear: to achieve even higher figures. The modernisation of airports is vital for ensuring sustainable growth and a comfortable welcome for passengers. It is an irrefutable fact that tourism accounts for more than 13% of Cyprus' GDP. It is equally clear that improving airport infrastructure plays a key role in its further development.
The contract for the second phase of the renovation was signed in December 2024 following negotiations between Hermes and the Ministry of Transport.
Bouygues Bâtiment International and Iacovou Brothers are the project's general contractors.
Construction began in March 2025 and the total budget for the project is €170 million, fully allocated by Hermes Airports.
A new wing with an area of approximately 20,000 m2 is to be built at Larnaca Airport. It will be integrated with the main terminal and will include:
I am pleased to inform you that the arrival and departure halls are now modern.
- More baggage carousels.
- Passport control and pre-flight areas have been expanded.
- Shopping and restaurant facilities have been updated.
- New aircraft parking spaces are also available.
The airport in Paphos will undergo an expansion of approximately 30% to its terminal. This will improve passenger throughput and comfort, as well as speed up all stages of screening and boarding. The southern taxiway will also be extended, improving logistics efficiency and facilitating operations during peak hours.
When construction work is finished, Larnaca Airport will have a capacity of 12.4 million passengers per year, and Paphos Airport will have a capacity of 5 million passengers per year. The modernisation is scheduled for completion in September 2027 for Larnaca and June 2027 for Paphos.
This large-scale project will strengthen Cyprus' position as a key transport hub in the Eastern Mediterranean and create conditions for further growth in tourism, the economy, and the country's international appeal.
