New Nicosia Area Control Centre to enhance safety of air traffic

New Nicosia Area Control Centre will enhance the safety of air traffic in the Mediterranean region, Cyprus Minister of Communications and Works said today during the ceremony for the placement of the foundation stone of Nicosia Area Control Centre in Kokinotrimithia Industrial Area, held at the presence of Eurocontrol Director General Victor Aguado.
In a speech, Thrasou said that “the new building is estimated to cost CYP5,5 million and will house the services responsible to provide Air Traffic Control within the Nicosia Flight Information Region. The Centre will be equipped with modern equipment estimated to cost CYP11 million, for which the relative contracts have already been signed.”
“This is a very important project, as it will enhance the safety of air traffic in the Mediterranean region and as such it is financed by the European Investment Bank. It should be noted, however, that the entire cost of the project will be progressively recovered from the over fly charges paid by aircraft using Nicosia FIR,” Thrasou said.
He noted that the new Nicosia Area Control Centre is part of the planning of the Ministry of Communication and Works for the upgrade of Cyprus Air Traffic Management System and the full implementation of 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).
Thrasou said that although, as it was said by the Director General of Eurocontrol Victor Aguado, the standard of air traffic control services that Cyprus provides is at a level favourably comparable to that of many European countries, still the effort for further progress will be continued.
“The Ministry of Communication and Works expects that, with the operation of the new Nicosia Area Control Centre and the support of Eurocontrol, the Department of Civil Aviation will be in a better position to meet its multiple international obligations, in the sector of air traffic management”, he stressed, pledging that as a member of the European Union and taking advantage of its geographic position and its excellent relations with its neighbouring countries, Cyprus will be able to play a decisive role in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean in the air traffic sector.
Thrasou said that the new air traffic control system, known as LEFCO, is expected to be delivered during 2007 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.