OUTSPOKEN Diko Deputy and House Communications Committee Chairman Nikos Pittokopitis yesterday disputed a government decision to use private companies to provide security for the island’s two airports.
His committee convened to discuss future improvements to Larnaca and Paphos airports so they can cope with the heavy passenger traffic expected in this and future years.
In 1999, some 4.3 million travellers passed through Larnaca Airport. About 4.7 million are expected there this year.
Paphos Airport accommodated 1.3 million travellers in 1999, and expects to handle 1.6 million in 2000.
The discussion swiftly strayed from the main issue when Disy Deputy Andreas Mouskos asked Communications & Works Ministry officials how they planned to deal with the airports’ immediate problems, which include policing, long delays at airline counters and immigration checkpoints, and a lack of air-conditioning.
Pittokopitis’ reaction came after Ministry Permanent Secretary Vassos Pyrgos told the committee that current police numbers could not provide the required security at the two airports. On realising this, Pyrgos said, the Ministry decided to hire private security firms.
Pittokopitis countered that airports were strategic venues and their security could not be left to people with questionable records. He charged that some security firm employees might have shady records, making them unfit to guard airports or check passengers.
The Paphos deputy also accused Cyprus Police of being more interested in providing protection to "cabaret-going underworld characters, while they cannot guard the airports".
Diko Deputy Zacharias Koulias questioned the legality of the Ministry’s handing over such critical posts to private companies, adding that those handling security should be specially trained.
Pyrgos defended the Ministry’s decision, claiming it would speed up security and passport checks, thus avoiding delays and passenger complaints. He added that regular police officers would still supervise all private guards and assign them their duties.
Earlier, Akel deputy George Hadjigeorgiou asked why there were still problems at the airports, when the House in recent years has approved millions of pounds for airport improvements.
"The only thing we have seen (for all the money spent) are extensions on the existing shacks," Hadjigeorgiou said.
Pyrgos assured the deputies that current airport improvements were expected completed in the first week of June.
As to long-term planning, Pyrgos said his Ministry had been approached by various firms — including the British Airports Authority — that want to be involved in managing the island’s airports.
He said these firms were now consulting with the Ministry about the conditions of the soon to be announced tender for this.
