Cyprus Builds New Air Control Centre

Cyprus on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the new Nicosia air traffic control center, which will enhance the safety of air traffic in the Mediterranean region, Cyprus News Agency reported.

Director General of Eurocontrol, Victor M. Aguado, said at the ceremony that given its geographical location, Cyprus can potentially play an important role as regards the regional development of civil aviation.

He called on Cyprus not only to improve its technical infrastructure, but also the institutional and governing arrangements of its air navigation service, in view of he increasing future traffic demands.

Cyprus Communications and Works Minister Haris Thrasou, on his part, said with the operation of he new air traffic control center and the support of Eurocontrol, the Department of Civil Aviation will be in a better position to meet its multiple international obligations, in the sector of air traffic management.

According to Eurocontrol, Cyprus handled a total of 217,000 flights in 2006, which represents an increase of 4.1 percent over the previous year. The new Nicosia area control center will enhance the safety of air traffic in the Mediterranean region.

Aguado said the size of airspace handled by Cyprus is very significant, about 30 times its land mass. At the same time, air raffic between Europe and the Middle East is also growing at significant rates, with passenger traffic growing 6.3 percent in 2006 and 12.8 percent in December alone.

"Given its geographical location, Cyprus can potentially play an important role as regards the regional development of civil aviation," Aguado said.