A €1.5 MILLION plan to refurbish the VIP lounge at the old Larnaca airport, because the new one is not adequate for official state visits, is expected to get underway next week.
On Tuesday, the Council of Ministers will discuss the proposal by the Communication and Works Ministry, which includes media facilities and reception areas for official state visits, such as the Pope’s forthcoming trip, and wealthy private individuals.
Makis Constantinides, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary said yesterday: “This is not just about the Pope’s visit. We have decided to refurbish the old VIP building because, though there is a business and VIP lounge in the new airport, it is not the best. Cyprus needs this building, which will have media facilities, a place to roll out red carpets and private access for better security.”
Asked why there were no media facilities at the new €650 million airport, one source in the airport industry told the Cyprus Mail that the government was invited to submit its requirements for a VIP lounge, but it did not request media facilities.
Under the proposed project, a private firm, subcontracted by Hermes Airports, will undertake and fund the refurbishment. This will bring the old lounge up to a suitable standard, and with full facilities to receive dignitaries such as the Pope, who arrives in June. In return, the government will provide services and security and immigration staff.
Asked about the funding for the project, Constantinides said: “We will allow a private company to do (the renovation work) under certain conditions. If the Council of Ministers says yes, then there will be one part for private paying customers, and one part for official state visits.” One condition, he said, would be free use of the airport by Cypriot state officials.
One company under consideration by the ministers is Skylink Services Ltd, a business partner at Larnaca Airport. Asked about the proposed project, the company declined to comment until the government had reached a decision.
While there is clearly agreement over the need for such a facility, as shown by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s visit last month, the terms of the public-private partnership will no doubt be debated.
Whether or not it is approved will depends largely on when and by whom it will be used. There are various factors to consider, for example, the cost of staffing the VIP and private lounges, and the viability of transporting VIPs who are not on private jets to the terminal, nearly two kilometres away.
