The operator of Cyprus' airports in Larnaca and Paphos has responded to European Commission concerns on airport security and surveillance, with Hermes Airports underlining that, "All required safety measures and procedures are implemented rigorously, in full accordance with national and international regulatory standards, and the airport operator conducts systematic and stringent inspections to ensure the highest level of operational safety."
The European Commission on 11 December sent Cyprus a reasoned opinion over what it described as the island's “shortcomings in the implementation of airport security and surveillance”, while also raising wider concerns about the state of civil aviation in Cyprus.
The reasoned opinion stated that Cyprus had “failed to ensure … that the airport operator of Larnaca and Paphos airports correctly complies with all applicable EU requirements in their respective airport manuals, including those relating to rescue and firefighting services”.
The Commission also said it “has concerns as to whether the civil aviation department in Cyprus has sufficient qualified staff in all the required technical areas to be able to effectively carry out its oversight tasks related to the airports”.
“These issues were identified during an inspection carried out by the European Union safety agency in 2020 and were highlighted by the commission in the letter of formal notice sent to Cyprus on November 16, 2023,” it said.
Given that Cyprus had not yet resolved these issues, the commission said, it is now sending a reasoned opinion, to which Cyprus will have two months to “respond and take the necessary measures”.
Otherwise, the Commission said, it “may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union”.
Hermes Airports, in response, on 12 December issued the following statement, "In relation to the set of decisions published by the European Commission concerning Cyprus’ two airports, Hermes Airports wishes to clarify the following:
The Aerodrome Operations Manual, which has been in force since 2006, has been fully aligned with all submitted observations and amendments, and was formally submitted to the competent authority in September 2024.
With regard to the Rescue and Firefighting services operating within the airports, Hermes Airports notes that, under the Concession Agreement, the State decided to maintain responsibility for these services. Consequently, Hermes Airports, as the airport operator, does not exercise any control over them. The company has, on various occasions, submitted recommendations to the competent Authority and the Grantor’s Representative however, the authority to take decisions on this matter lies exclusively with the State.
Hermes Airports wishes to note that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), as the competent European body responsible for airport certifications, has issued a recommendation indicating that Rescue and Firefighting services operating within an airport should fall under the responsibility of the operator, which is the standard international practice.
Hermes Airports remains in continuous communication with the Grantor’s Representative, and any new developments will be assessed within the established procedural framework.
Finally, Hermes Airports stresses that any publications or references concerning safety issues at Larnaka and Pafos airports are not related to the above matter and do not reflect the reality. All required safety measures and procedures are implemented rigorously, in full accordance with national and international regulatory standards, and the airport operator conducts systematic and stringent inspections to ensure the highest level of operational safety."
