CONTRACTORS have assured that road works on the approach to Paphos airport would be completed within days.
The work has been a major headache for coach drivers, prompting them to ask local deputy Costas Costantinou to enquire how long resurfacing would take.
This latest problem adds to the string of complaints about the airport, ranging from lack of parking facilities, high parking charges, broken parking machines, baggage handling problems and heavy handed parking staff, that speak neither Greek nor English.
“Any time I have to collect a visitor, I am filled with dread,” said Paphos resident Maria Robinson. “Everyone who lives in Paphos hates going to the airport; it is always a fraught experience.
I call the airport to check arrival times to try to keep the cost of parking down. The first 20 minutes is free. But I don’t know of anyone that hasn’t had to pay.
“Flights are often delayed and then there is such a long wait for them to come through arrivals. Baggage claim is so slow. The worst days are Wednesdays and Saturdays, there are so many flights landing at the same time. It is bedlam,” she said, adding, “and now with the problems the road is causing, it’s pure chaos.”
In May 2006, Hermes Airports Limited took over the construction, development and operation of Larnaca and Paphos airports for a period of 25 years. A new terminal for Paphos is planned to open on November 11 this year. With 1.5 million people useing the airport each year, it is the main airport servicing the west of Cyprus.
“I have never been so disgusted in my life,” exclaimed a Paphos resident who wished to remain anonymous.
“My wife uses a wheelchair and we have a disabled notice clearly displayed on our car.I recently had to pick up some friends from Paphos airport and at the road junction to turn into arrivals, I asked the parking staff to allow me to drive up to entrance to help my wife into her chair before parking my car in the car park.It was difficult to make myself understood as the staff didn’t speak Greek or English and I am fluent in both.
“Eventually, another member of staff delt with me, and said I had to park my car first, and then push my wife in the heat across to the terminal. A number of taxi drivers joined in saying access is restricted to taxis and coaches, and became very abusive. Everyone was shouting and my wife became very upset.”
In the end, he added, “I had to take her home and come back to meet our friends. My wife is Cypriot and has a hard enough time with her disability anyway, without being treated in this fashion.It’s disgraceful. I tried to find someone to complain to, but no-one was interested.”
Hermes airports spokesman Adamos Aspris stressed to the Cyprus Mail yesterday that this was not the kind of image they were trying to portray.
“Generally speaking, we want all the airport personnel to treat people with respect and courtesy. We also need them to make the right decicion and understanding in circumsatances where rules should be waived,” he said. “I will ensure customer services deal with this complaint regarding disallowing disabled access to the terminal immediatley,” he promised.
“We are aware of problems with some staff, and we are working to resolve them as soon as possible,” he added.
“As regards the construction on the road, we would ask for everyone’s understanding in this instance. We are redesigning the road outside the airport to provide for better traffic management and offer a better service. A roundabout is being created to help the traffic flow,” he said.
Aspris confirmed the Airport would be finished on time.
“From September 1, all aspects of the new facility will be tested to ensure everything works smoothly from day one.”
