Cyprus to build ‘state of the art’ control tower

THE plan to build a new high-tech central control tower has been officially released with the area of Kokkinotrimitha chosen to house the new centre.

The plan, which is estimated to cost £4.5 million to buy the land and £17.5 million to acquire and set up all the equipment, is aimed at creating a central control tower that is up to scratch with the latest technology, while also in accordance with EU regulations.

Civil Aviation technician Nicos Nicolaou told the Cyprus Mail: “You could say the new equipment being brought in is state of the art. We are targeting to make a central control tower not only to be in line with EU regulations but also to be able to work easier with other centre control towers in EU states. It is important that Cyprus has good aerial control.”

Nicolaou also pointed to the importance of the location and why Kokkinotrimitha had been selected.

“Kokkinotrimitha was chosen because the area is compatible to the needs of the tower. Another good point about the area is the fact there is hardly any suburban surrounding so as not to create any possible interference with the equipment or any possible antagonism from the community about the satellites that will be stationed there.”

The decision by the Council of Ministers to build the new tower was made on October 19 this year.

Construction is set to begin in 2005 with the final deadline for the construction to be finished by 2007 and the new machines are set to arrive in Cyprus next year.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.