Larnaca Airport…

Larnaca International Airport is an international airport located at Larnaca, Cyprus. Larnaca airport is Cyprus' main international gateway, the larger of the Republic of Cyprus ' two commercial airports. Larnaca International Airport was originally a small airfield, used by the British 1974, putting Nicosia International Airport (NIC) out of use, works began to develop Larnaca as an Airport. It has a single passenger terminal, consisting of two large main terminal buildings, and a larger rear building housing the arrivals hall. The current airport consists of a single large Apron for all aircraft, all passengers are taken by bus to and from the terminal as there are no jet ways. This is to change when the new airport is completed. Larnaca International Airport also possesses a large engineering hangar, cargo terminal and other facilities including air fuel and provision for light aircraft. Larnaca International Airport is often used as a hub by passengers traveling between Europe and the Middle East, and Cyprus's status as a major tourist destination means that passenger numbers are around 5 million a year. This is double the capacity the airport was designed for. As such, a tender was put out in 1998 to develop the airport further increasing its capacity. The work is expected to be completed in 2009. Already completed elements of the work include a control tower, fire station, runway extension, and additional administrative offices. A new road link is also almost complete, ready for when the terminal buildings are completed. The terminal itself will be rebuilt some 500-700m West of current facilities, adjacent to the new control tower, with new aprons and jet ways. The old terminal building is slated to be partially demolished and refurbished as a cargo centre. The Concept Architectural design was developed by French Architects ADP (Aeroport De Paris) with SOFREAVIA in France . Detail and Tender design was carried out in Cyprus with local Architectural Office FORUM ARCHITECTS and a large engineering team under the coordination of ADP. A large amount of controversy spurred by the local media surrounded the granting of the contract when it was put out to tender. A consortium led by BAA and J&P construction quickly pulled out when it did not receive assurances from the Cypriot Government that it would receive financial compensation in the event that Direct Flights were allowed between the Turkish occupied north of the island and the rest of the world. The contract was eventually hastily granted to the next best bidder, the French led 'Hermes' Consortium. This too, was not free of controversy, causing legal challenges by BAA and J&P, and adding further delays to a much needed project.