Cyprus Air Traffic Control relocation to Kokkinotrimithia underway

The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Works has announced that intensive preparations are underway for relocating the Air Traffic Control Center of Civil Aviation to its new, purpose-built facility in Kokkinotrimithia. This follows the successful completion of all preparatory work, including the development of the building's infrastructure and the installation of new technical systems.

According to a Ministry press release, the transfer of services is set to reach its peak in October, with the full relocation expected to be completed by the end of the year. The new Control Center's systems are designed to accommodate the anticipated growth in air traffic in Cyprus over the next decade and beyond.

The renovation of the Kokkinotrimithia building, carried out in partnership with the Department of Civil Aviation and Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CYTA), included thorough inspections and upgrades of all building facilities, electromechanical systems, air conditioning, fire protection, and monitoring systems. The renovation primarily focused on expanding the Air Traffic Management System and installing a new communications system.

The Ministry also reported that work is ongoing to transfer other supporting air traffic control services, with crucial staff training scheduled to start and finish in the fall. The COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the period of 2020-2021, caused significant delays in completing the technical aspects of the project by impacting the timelines for system delivery and acceptance.

Regarding the design of the new Control Center’s systems, which anticipate future growth in Cyprus's air traffic, the Ministry noted that the new facility will feature ten control sectors compared to the six sectors in the existing Control Center. The design also allows for an easy expansion to fourteen sectors if needed.

Moreover, the communication systems at the new facility are state-of-the-art, capable of extending to meet both primary and backup needs of all air traffic control units. The equipment program also includes additional projects aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of these essential services.

The Ministry emphasised that the relocation project is highly complex due to the 24/7 nature of air traffic services. The move will only be finalized once it is assured that there will be no issues impacting the safety and efficiency of the services. Consequently, the relocation is being executed in phases according to a transition plan, which includes operating both Control Centers simultaneously for a period and conducting necessary safety studies.

In its press release, the Ministry highlighted that the relocation, under the strict oversight of EUROCONTROL (European Network Manager), cannot occur during the summer months from May to October. This scheduling constraint aligns with international practices, which recommend carrying out such projects during periods of lower traffic to minimize potential disruptions to passenger movement.