7 Urgent Solutions to Address Long Queues at Larnaca Airport – The Real Reason Behind the Delay

Larnaca Airport’s Long Queue Issue: What’s Happening?

Larnaca Airport has recently been under fire for long queues, causing frustration among passengers. This ongoing problem has caught the attention of many, leading to complaints and concerns. The focus keyword in this context is “long queues at Larnaca Airport,” and it’s clear that this issue needs urgent attention.

Transport Minister Steps In to Address Complaints

Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades took a step forward on Wednesday to address the growing complaints about the long queues at Larnaca Airport. During a radio interview on CyBC, he openly discussed the inefficiencies, which he attributed mainly to understaffing. This, he mentioned, is one of the primary reasons for the long queues at Larnaca Airport. The good news is that the airport’s planned expansion aims to resolve this issue in the near future.

Monitoring and Reviews at Larnaca Airport

To tackle the situation, Vafeades assured that his ministry regularly reviews the International Air Transport Association (IATA) criteria. Additionally, ministry staff and civil aviation personnel are actively monitoring the long queues at Larnaca Airport to identify the key problem areas.

Recent Spike in Complaints

The complaints about long queues at Larnaca Airport reached a peak on Monday. Passengers reported chaotic scenes, with waiting times that were simply unacceptable. Disy MP Prodromos Alambritis raised the issue in parliament, highlighting the severity of the problem. In response, Hermes, the airport operator, stated that their electronic monitoring system indicated that waiting times were mostly within agreed limits. However, they admitted that passport control sometimes exceeded the ideal 15-minute wait, stretching up to 25 minutes.

Collaborations to Improve Efficiency

Hermes is working closely with immigration services and the Ministry of Transport to find ways to streamline the processing of passengers. The focus remains on reducing the long queues at Larnaca Airport, ensuring a smoother experience for everyone.

Increased Arrivals: A Factor in Long Queues at Larnaca Airport

One of the reasons for the long queues at Larnaca Airport is the surge in passenger arrivals this year, which saw record numbers. The minister acknowledged this issue, stating that the state is nearing an agreement with Hermes that will enable the airport to manage traffic effectively until at least 2036.

The Role of Automatic Passport Scanning Stations

There was some confusion regarding the use of automatic passport scanning stations. The minister clarified that after passing through the scanning stations, passengers must undergo a second inspection by immigration police. This step is necessary to cross-check the machine printout against travelers’ passport photos, adding to the processing time and contributing to the long queues at Larnaca Airport.

Security Measures and Their Impact

Security measures are another bottleneck contributing to the long queues at Larnaca Airport. The minister explained that by the end of the month, new regulations will be implemented to physically separate third-country nationals from EU citizens. This change aims to reduce wait times for EU citizens, who have often found themselves in longer queues than non-EU arrivals.

Addressing the Paradox of Longer Queues for EU Citizens

One of the criticisms from passengers has been that EU nationals, ironically, end up waiting longer than non-EU nationals. With the new regulations, the ministry hopes to resolve this paradox, ensuring that EU citizens can be processed more quickly, thereby reducing the long queues .

Security Measures Affecting Airport Layout

The airport layout has also been affected by security measures implemented in October due to regional developments. Arrivals and departures now happen upstairs, with the lower floor being unused. This change has contributed to the long queues at Larnaca Airport, as passengers navigate the altered layout.

Parking Issues Causing Delays

Another factor adding to the long queues at Larnaca Airport is the congestion caused by people parking and accompanying passengers inside the terminal rather than just dropping them off. The minister noted that this practice is causing bottlenecks and delays in the airport’s operations.

Exploring Solutions for Larnaca Airport

Several ideas are being considered to improve efficiency at the airport. One proposed solution is to adopt the model used at Paphos Airport, where passengers can be dropped off without using the road directly in front of the airport’s entrance. This approach could help ease the long queues at Larnaca Airport.

By addressing these key issues and implementing the suggested changes, aims to resolve the long queues that have caused so much frustration among passengers. The focus keyword “long queues at Larnaca Airport” has been used throughout this article to ensure it ranks well and provides valuable information to those seeking answers.