- Airport history
- Large-scale reconstruction
- How to get to the airport
- Services offered by the airport
You can get to the island of Cyprus, known for its wonderful climate, secluded beaches, historical monuments, either by sea or by plane. Most tourists arriving in Cyprus choose air transport: it is fast, convenient and not very expensive. The main airport of the Republic of Cyprus is located on the southeast coast of the island. It is he who receives regular and charter flights from different countries of Europe and the world. Larnaca Airport, which is only 4 km from the city of the same name, received 6, 6 million passengers in 2016. The airport is currently home to five airlines: Aegean Airlines, Blue Air, Cobalt Air and Tus Airways.
Larnaca International Airport is the largest of the country's two commercial airports. The second international airport is located in Paphos on the southwest coast of the island.
Airport history
The development of civil aviation on the island of Cyprus began in 1955 when the Cypriot government established a department responsible for the development and management of the airport in Nicosia. Many services at the airport were run by the British military. The colonial government could determine the policy of the airspace of Cyprus only if it was about unscheduled or charter flights. Regular flights have been approved by representatives of the United Kingdom.
In 1960, immediately after the declaration of Cyprus' Independence, the only airport in Cyprus was used for both civilian and military flights operated by the Royal Air Force. At that time, 7 international airlines operated regular flights. Soon a new terminal was built here. In 1973, in the last year before the Turkish occupation of part of the island, the airport in Nicosia served 785 thousand people.
As a result of the Turkish invasion in July 1974, the entire civil aviation infrastructure was either destroyed or occupied by Turkish forces. In particular, the island's only airport was closed and handed over to United Nations troops. He is now in the buffer zone. The district control center, which was located at the airport, also ceased operations, and the facilities located in the Pentadaktylos mountains were occupied by Turkish troops. For 6 months Cyprus was practically isolated from the rest of the world. Then the Cypriot authorities recalled the abandoned airport near Larnaca, built in 1948. He could well resume his work. The new airport consisted of a small terminal, a wooden tower for dispatchers and one runway just 1400 meters long.
In 1975, the passenger traffic was only 179 thousand people, which was ¼ of the traffic of the previous year.
The first airlines to use the new Larnaca airport were Cyprus Airways, which operated British-rented Viscount 800s, and Olympic Airways. The original runway at Larnaca International Airport was too short for jet aircraft.
In 1983, Paphos airport was opened. It was intended primarily to meet the needs of the residents of the Paphos area. Paphos Airport has undoubtedly made a positive and significant contribution to the development of tourism in the region, which has a beneficial effect on the country's economy.
Large-scale reconstruction
Cyprus has long been recognized as one of the most promising resorts in Europe. This means that air traffic with it will steadily increase every year. Already, the passenger traffic of Larnaca Airport has reached 5 million people. This is twice as much as the airport received in the first years of its existence. For this reason, a tender was announced in 1998 for the reconstruction and expansion of the airport.
As a result of the renovation, the airport received a new control tower, a fire station, an increase in the runway and additional administrative offices. Near the airport, the B4 road was upgraded and the A3 motorway was completed. The new terminal was built about 500-700 m west of the old terminal. Part of the old terminal building is planned to be demolished. The remaining sector will be converted into a freight center in the future. Currently, the old terminal has been turned into a private one: it receives special flights with heads of state arriving in Cyprus on official visits, and private jets.
The exits to the airfield for passengers leaving Cyprus are located on the second floor of the terminal. The arrival hall can be found on the first. The architectural design concept of the passenger terminal was developed by the French architects from Aéroports de Paris (ADP) in collaboration with the French company Sofréavia. The exterior design was handled by the Cypriot architecture firm Forum Architects and a large team of engineers from ADP.
The company that will manage Larnaca Airport was selected through a tender. It was first won by Joannou & Paraskevaides, which quickly turned down the offer when it learned that the Cypriot authorities did not give any guarantees of financial compensation in the event that flights were allowed between Turkey-controlled Northern Cyprus and the rest of the world. … The contract for the management of the airport was immediately offered to the next winner of the competition - the French consortium Hermes Airports.
In 2006, the renovation of the airports in Larnaca and Paphos was completed. 650 million euros were spent on the reconstruction of the country's two most important air stations.
Cyprus' convenient location between Europe, Africa and the Middle East makes its main airport in Larnaca a convenient transit point. It currently serves domestic, regional and international passenger and freight services with over 30 airlines.
How to get to the airport
There are several options for how you can get to the airport from the center of Larnaca and other popular resorts in Cyprus:
- on a rented car. The A3 highway leads to the airport. There are several car parks near the airport, but all of them are paid. True, for 15-20 minutes of parking, the fee will not be big - only a few euros. Many rental companies allow you to leave your car right at the airport;
- by taxi. This type of transport is chosen by people who value their time or do not want to travel with large luggage on public transport. A trip from Larnaca to the airport will cost about 15-20 euros. Information for tourists arriving in Cyprus: the taxi rank is located right at the exits from the airport;
- by bus. From Larnaca to the airport there are regular buses No. 431, 440, 418, 419 and 417. Their final stop is located at the departure level at the airport. The cost of a bus trip is about 1.5 euros. At night, the fare increases, but only slightly. Comfortable intercity buses run from the cities of Agia Napa, Limassol and Nicosia to Larnaca airport. They stop outside the arrivals hall. There is a small bus station here. Travel from Limassol will cost about 10 euros, from Nicosia - 8 euros.
Many tour operators offer their tourists a transfer from the airport to the hotel and back, which is very convenient. Some hotels can arrange airport pick-up for their guests. Then you just need to indicate this service when booking a room. At the airport, a driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name. The fare in this case will be known to you in advance.
Services offered by the airport
The airport in Larnaca is modest in size, but at the same time it is able to satisfy the most demanding passengers, providing them with the desired level of comfort. At the airport, in the departure terminal, you can find ticket offices, a post office, a bank office, several cafes and duty-free shops selling newspapers, souvenirs, perfumes and cosmetics. Sometimes small performances are held here to entertain passengers. Game consoles work for children.
Larnaca Airport also offers a luggage delivery service to the check-in counter or to taxis and public transport stops immediately after arrival. Porters will also help to remove suitcases from the luggage strap. The fee for their assistance is 10 euros per baggage trolley.
There are baggage packing desks in the airport lobby. In less than 60 seconds, the suitcase will be wrapped in a transparent protective film. It will protect your luggage from damage, rain, accidental opening and placing unauthorized items in your suitcase. The company "Safe-Sac", which provides this service, guarantees the integrity of the suitcase. In case of damage, she pays compensation of 3 thousand euros. Additionally, she provides assistance in finding lost luggage.
If a passenger needs to deposit his luggage for several hours or days, he must contact a special department located near the check-in counters on the second floor. The suitcase will be accepted for storage if it does not contain cash, securities, jewelry, weapons, explosives, etc. The minimum luggage storage fee is 8 euros. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card. Suitcases will be stored on special shelves where they will be well secured. Galatariotis Technical Ltd, which is responsible for baggage storage at Larnaca Airport, reserves the right to open and inspect the contents of any baggage at any time. She can destroy an item that appears to be dangerous to company employees.
