Marios Christofi: Our priority is to ensure the airport’s seamless operation

Many small and large actions and procedures must be in complete harmony to ensure an airport’s seamless operation, according to Marios Christofi, Head of Operations, Larnaka Airport, Hermes Airports.

Speaking, in Greek, for a video included in Hermes Airport’s recent Flight Mode Newsletter, Christofi refers to the heart of the operation of the Cypriot airports, where flight preparation takes place on a 24-hour basis and the smooth operation of all Larnaca airport services is ensured.

“At Hermes Airports, our main priority, beyond safety which should be a given, is that every flight departs on time and passengers have a pleasant experience as the airport is the first and last picture they have of our country,” he states.

A translated transcript of the video can be read below:

“The transition from winter to summer is a time when airports adjust their operating plan to meet increased demand.

The operating mechanism of an airport consists of many small and large actions and procedures that must be in complete harmony. In the Business Centre, which we call the heart of the airport and operates 24 hours a day, flight preparation takes place on a daily basis. The following day's flights are confirmed in order to allocate the baggage check points to the various airlines and also the departure costs. Also, it is determined where a plane will park, which route it will follow, which pickup belt the luggage will go to, and many other details.

Continuous coordination and cooperation with all the companies operating in the airports are absolutely necessary elements and we implement an integrated plan maintaining constant communication with the thousands of people who work and make up the airport community.

At Hermes Airports, our main priority, beyond safety which should be a given, is that every flight departs on time and passengers have a pleasant experience as the airport is the first and last picture they have of our country. To this end, since last year we have instituted a procedure for peak periods that allows us to monitor and solve problems on the spot using additional Hermes staff.

At the same time, we have installed a software at Larnaka airport that allows us to time the passenger's route and where we detect congestion to take immediate corrective measures.

Currently, a series of upgrades are being carried out at Larnaka airport with works related to maintenance of the runway, gradual renovation of personal hygiene areas, while there has been a significant expansion of the public parking areas. At the same time, the carpets in the Departures area are being replaced with ceramic tiles bearing the Lefkara Lace motif, while work is progressing on new waiting areas for distinguished passengers, to be ready for the summer season.

We want to assure the travelling public that our airports are ready to welcome and serve both the Cypriot public and all visitors to our country.”

This article originally appeared, in Greek, in Hermes Airport’s Flight Mode Newsletter. Click here to view it.

(Also visit https://www.hermes-flightmode.com/ for more on Hermes Airports' news and activities)