Cyprus must improve air traffic controls, says EuroControl

Victor M. Aguado, Director General of EUROCONTROL, has called on Cyprus to improve its technical infrastructure, but also the institutional and governing arrangements of its air navigation services and regulation, in view of the increasing future traffic demands.

In a speech at the ceremony for the laying of the foundation stone for the new Air Traffic Control Centre of Cyprus, Aguado said that Cyprus can potentially play an important role as regards the regional development of civil aviation.

On his part, Communications and Works Minister Haris Thrasou said the new Nicosia centre will enhance the safety of air traffic in the Mediterranean region.

Aguado said he is familiar with the civil aviation developments that have taken place in the last few years and expressed satisfaction over the considerable progress that has been achieved.

“A manifestation of this progress, is the excellent Air Traffic Management (ATM) system which will soon be established in the building we are inaugurating today”, he said.

He noted that EUROCONTROL has made a substantial contribution to the development of the system.

Aguado said that in 2006, Cyprus handled a total of 217.000 flights, which represents an increase of 4.1% over the previous year. Furthermore, the forecast for Cyprus is that until 2012 there will be an average yearly increase of ± 5%, which is above the European average.

These future traffic demands, he said, “coupled with the continuous challenges for increased safety and cost efficiency, make it necessary for Cyprus not only to improve its technical infrastructure, but also the institutional and governing arrangements of its air navigation service provision and regulation”.

Aguado noted with satisfaction the recent decision of the Cyprus Government to separate the provision of ATM services as an independent entity, leaving the regulatory function in the government civil service.

He said the size of airspace handled by Cyprus is very significant, about 30 times its land mass. At the same time, air traffic between Europe and the Middle East is also growing at significant rates (passenger traffic grew 6.3 % in 2006 and 12.8 % in December alone), and may see even further rate increases when progress is made on the resolution of conflicts in the Middle East.
The Cypriot Communications Minister said that “the new building is estimated to cost CYP 5,5 million (EUR 9.5 mln) and will house the services responsible to provide Air Traffic Control within the Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR). The centre will have modern equipment estimated to cost CYP 11 million (EUR 18.9 mln), for which the relative contracts have already been signed.”
Thrasou said the new air traffic control system, known as LEFCO, will be delivered this year and it will be temporarily housed in a rented building. It will be based on leading edge technology and it will incorporate a number of automations and tools to enable the safe and efficient handling of the rising number of aircraft thought the Nicosia FIR in accordance with the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the regulations of the European Union for the Single European Sky (SES) as well as compliance with the Eurocontrol Safety Regulation Requirements (ESARRS).