Cyprus Airport
Kenya Nguyn
Due to increased security measures at Larnaka and Pafos airports, the road outside the Arrivals at Larnaka Airport will not be accessible to any vehicles other than taxis. Visitors who wish to pick up arriving passengers can do so using the road outside Departures.
Be our guest and explore the various dining options at our airports. Caffe Ritazza, Food-for-Flight and Costa Coffee located at the car parking area of Larnaka airport, can serve you on a 24/7 basis.
Larnaca Airport was hastily developed towards the end of 1974 after the invasion of Cyprus by Turkey on 20 July of the same year,[4] which forced the closure of the Nicosia International Airport. The site on which it was built (near the Larnaca Salt Lake) had been previously used as an airfield[5] in the 1930s and, subsequently, as a military installation by British forces. Larnaca International opened on 8 February 1975, with only limited infrastructure facilities and a prefabricated set of buildings comprising separate halls for departures and arrivals. The first airlines to use the new airport were Cyprus Airways, using Viscount 800s leased from British Midland, and Olympic Airways, using NAMC YS-11s. Initially, the runway at Larnaca International was too short for jet aircraft.[6]
The airport's geographic location in-between Europe, Africa, Russia and the Middle East facilitates it as an airline hub for traffic and flight operations between these locations.[8][9][10][11] It currently holds domestic, regional and international passenger and cargo services by over 50 airlines.[12] Notably, Gulf Air used to provide a non-stop service to New York-JFK twice a week.[13]
The airport has one primary state-of-the-art passenger terminal. Departures are accommodated on the upper level, while arrivals are accommodated at the ground level. The old terminal serves as a "VIP terminal", which is used for visiting heads of state, some private aviation, and for cargo. The airport utilises a single large apron for all passenger aircraft. The concept architectural design of the passenger terminal was developed by French architects at Aéroports de Paris (ADP) with Sofréavia in France.[15]
The airport can be reached by car, taxi and public transport system. There is a shuttle bus system from/to Limassol,[131] Nicosia, Protaras, Paralimni and Ayia Napa.[132] Local buses are available at the airport to various locations in Larnaca.
Taking the bull by its horns, the Cypriot government opted to kick start its PPP programme with this large, high-risk twin airport deal rather than testing the water with a pilot road scheme - the traditional route adopted by governments.
Whether or not the Larnaca and Paphos airports project will be recreated (and the industry hope it is not) remains to be seen. In addition, Cyprus' entry into the EU in 2005 is expected to lead to the standardisation of procurement rules which will act as a PPP landmark for future transactions.
In 1974, a makeshift terminal building was hastily set up on salt flats near to the south coast resort of Larnaca after the international airport at Nicosia was forced to close following the invasion and occupation of Turkish troops - it subsequently lay on the border of the occupied territory and was never used.
The international tender attracted some of the world's leading airport operators and construction companies and in November 2003, the Alterra consortium - headed up by Bechtel and Barclays Private Equity - was named preferred proponent for the deal. The Bouygues-led Hermes group was named as reserve bidder.
Bouygues' experience in tackling large scale infrastructure deals combined with three airport operators and reputed local contractors (Charilaos Apostolides & Co) and investors (Cyprus Trading Corporation) gave the strength and dynamics the group needed to take on Cyprus' largest infrastructure project to date.
Now the airports package is complete, all eyes will turn to Cyprus' next PPP over the coming months to see whether the recently tendered Paphos - Polis highway DBFO will attract as much domestic and international interest as the airports package.
Larnaka and Paphos international airports in Cyprus have witnessed a swift rebound in passenger traffic, setting a solid foundation for sustained growth, says Maria Kouroupi, senior manager for aviation development, marketing and communication at Hermes Airports.
With concerted efforts to expand market reach, the airports have successfully replaced the Russian and Ukrainian markets, accounting for 20% of total passenger traffic, by penetrating already served markets such as Poland, Greece, Germany, Israel, Armenia, France and Italy.
Both Larnaka and Paphos reported a record-breaking performance in the first quarter of 2023, with a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2019. Currently, the airports are served by 55 airlines operating 155 routes to 38 countries.
Bird droppings cover seats in the departure lounge inside the old Nicosia airport terminal building, now located within the UN-controlled buffer zone that separates the Turkish-occupied north from the south of Cyprus.
Nicosia International Airport (Greek: Διεθνές Αεροδρόμιο Λευκωσίας) was Cyprus' main airport[6] before the Turkish invasion.It is 5 km as the crow flies west of the Cypriot Presidential Palace. The longest runway is 2.7km.[7] It was very strategically important as a major transport route for the island.[3]
A ceasefire was signed by both sides and was to take effect on 22 July from 16:00. During the day the Turkish Air Force took what advantage they had before the ceasefire. They bombed the airport destroying parts of the runway.[14] At 16:00 when the ceasefire had taken effect, the 33rd Commando Battalion received intelligence that Turkish Military was preparing a surprise attack and subsequent takeover of the airport. The Commandos took security measures without any reinforcements being sent to them.[12] At about 16:45 after the ceasefire had taken effect, the Turkish Air Force with 6 F-104 and 2 F-100 Super Sabre aircraft had begun bombing the airport again and destroyed a Cyprus Airways Trident.[14][18][19]
On the morning of 23 July, more attacks on the airport had begun. Units from the Greek A' Raider Squadron (41st Strike Team) began arriving at the airport (After being placed in barracks elsewhere), armed with a few light machine guns, one 90mm recoilless rifle and one Browning 30mm.[5][20]
The Commandos saw enemy infantry units getting closer to the airport fence and were ordered to fire warning shots.[20] It became apparent to them that the Turkish Armed Forces were attempting to outflank them.[5]
At 11 am the main battle began with Turkish tanks (Likely M47s) and mortars beginning to fire on Greek positions. As elements of the 3rd Strike Company began arriving at the airport, they came under heavy fire from attacking forces. The cars containing Majors Avramides and Kyriakos were hit. The cars fell into a ditch, and a heavy firefight ensued and eventually broke out of the kill zone.[20] As this was happening, Turkish armored units began moving towards the west of the airport in an attempt to cover the Turkish infantry units coming in from the north and thus creating a form backward "L" Flanking maneuver.[5] Commander Papameletious's car also fell under fire and the car was immobilized a few hundred meters away from the main gates of the airport. Papameletious took fire from both Turkish positions and from UNFICYPs barracks. He was eventually set free with the help of a BTR; By the end 1 Commando had been mortally wounded.[20]
We are very different - Our lounges offer simple snacks and light meals away from the hustle and bustle of the main airport terminal, but we don't offer full meals. Cafes and restaurants offer full meals within the main terminal area, however if you've travelled through and airport recently, you'll know how busy these establishments can get. So if you're looking to help yourself to a range of snacks, along with a few drinks, free WiFi, great customer service and a tranquil environment with a guaranteed seat, airport lounges are for you.
All travellers, no matter which airline or class of travel, are welcome. It's a common misconception that you have to be a first or business class passenger to get access to an airport lounge, and this isn't the case. We do however ask that passengers adhere to our smart casual dress code which is outlined below.
CyprusTypeLarge IslandAirports
- Larnaca Airport
- Paphos Airport
- Henstridge Airfield
- Barra Airport
Larnaca (10.0)
Paphos (9.0)
Ercan (8.2)
Cyprus Airports with Most RoutesPaphos (35)
Larnaca (32)
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Cyprus the largest island in the Mediterranian, lies just south of Turkey in the Mediterranean and has for a long time attracted tourists to it's beaches and sights, having myths and history dating back thousands of years, with many well preserved Roman ruins.
The country (which was previously a British Colony) is officially known as the Republic of Cyprus but the northern part is controlled by Turkey and known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (only recognised by Turkey).
We have included airports from the whole of Cyprus here.
While Greek and Turkish are the official languages, you will find English widley spoken together with French and German in the tourist areas of Cyprus.
The Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Union using the Euro currency, and is also a Schengen country.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not a member of the EU or Schengen, and the currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY).
(1 Turkish Lira = approximately 0.25 British Pounds or 0.30 euros)