Christiana Katsambas: Airports are entering Phase II expansion with momentum (video)

All involved stakeholders and specialised working groups—both from Cyprus and abroad—are working at full speed to implement Phase II of the Larnaca and Paphos airports, in strict alignment with the established timelines.

Christiana Katsambas, Project Director at Hermes Airports, explains how the development projects at the two airports will strengthen Cyprus' air transport capabilities, increasing capacity and ensuring that the airports will be able to meet future demands efficiently.

She also expresses her joy and pride in being part of this impressive initiative, which, she says, marks a new era for Cyprus’ aviation infrastructure—both for herself and for Hermes Airports.

You can watch her full interview, in Greek, below:

A transcript of the video, translated from the original Greek, can be seen below:

The expansion of Larnaca and Paphos airports, that is to say Phase B, has already begun with various preliminary works. Essentially, since the end of March, when the project's financing was completed, we officially entered the project’s implementation period.

This is a particularly dynamic process, based on a Design & Build Contract, which requires constant monitoring, coordination and possible adjustments in order for us to achieve the best result.

Among my key duties as the project owner's representative is to ensure that work progresses within agreed cost timeframes and quality standards.

In order for the airports, which are our main priority in this entire process, to continue their operation without interruption, special planning is required in the phases in which the project will be "carried out". Thus, the projects are carried out in sections with specific functions being transferred for a period of time to different locations, adding to the complexity of the project.

For example, some functions and operations, such as holding, were transferred to free up some spaces and allow work to proceed.

So far, and despite the difficulties that usually arise in projects of this size – especially at the beginning – the cooperation of all those involved has been impeccable.

Today, people from France, the USA, England, Spain and other countries are working on this specific project, something which requires constant coordination and communication. These are companies and people with know-how, experience and specialisation in large projects.

We also have the contractor's team, that is, the consortium that is responsible for the design and implementation of the project.

In addition, we have the Hermes Airports team and all its departments involved in the process in one way or another, while in the independent engineer has been assigned the responsibility of quality control during the project. Various government departments are also participating in the project.

The team is expected to grow in the near future with the addition of professionals from abroad who will settle in Cyprus and where, in combination with local expertise, they will carry out all the required work.

For example, at Larnaka Airport, the projects will affect a total area of 20,000 sq m. They concern, among other things, the creation of a new wing with departure and arrival gates that will be connected to the main building, the addition of additional baggage claim belts, a new area for processing passport and security checks, the expansion of the commercial area and an increase in aircraft parking spaces.

In Paphos, the airport terminal capacity will increase by approximately 30%, significantly improving the passenger experience and the efficiency of checks and procedures. At the same time, the southern parallel taxiway will be expanded, enhancing the airport's operational flexibility.

Personally, I feel particularly happy and proud to be participating in this impressive project.

With our airports’ Phase B, a project with a future-looking horizon, we are leaving our country and future generations with excellent infrastructure and facilities.