LARNACA AIRPORT TOO SMALL FOR SO MANY TRAVELLERS (Larnaca International Airport (LCA))

Member Name: mswhizz

Product:	Larnaca International Airport (LCA)
Date:	30/06/09 (94 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: CENTRAL GOOD FOR TRAVELLING ALL OVER THE ISLAND

Disadvantages: NOT ENOUGH SEATING AND PUSHY SALES PEOPLE

LARNACA AIRPORT

Larnaca Airport is located in central Cyprus.

My husband and I visit this airport once or twice a year. Fortunately for us we go in November and March so it is not as busy as during holiday time, so we manage to get ourselves a seat.

The airport is small and efficiently run, but lacks enough seating for travellers. I find the airport claustrophobic. The worst part for me is when you have been called to the departure gate. I sometimes feel a bit panicky as customers are packed into a glass box with not enough seating for a full flight of people. There is no air conditioning, so heaven knows how people cope in summer. They load up children and disabled people first, and last time, some family refused to go onto the plane first and insisted they go last, as their children have long enough to amuse themselves let alone waiting for everyone else to board the plane. They became very stubborn but as this is a policy they had to conform. Staff was very polite but firm and tried to explain why they needed to get onto the plane first. They finally agreed and boarded the plane. I feel so sorry for the elderly who have to stand up, because it is just packed solid with people.

If you like to shop at airports I wouldn't bother at Larnaca. Last time I recall so many staff waiting to pounce on you to promote their products it was very intimidating, when you actually want to be left alone to spray a few perfumes or look at the makeup. There is a fairly large café and enough toilets, which are clean enough (for any hot country).

The land the airport is built on is exchanged land from the Turkish Cypriots during the war between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots in 1974. If you would like to visit North Cyprus Larnaca Airport is where you would go, unless you fly to Ercan (this avoids the border, but is a long flight as you have a stop in Turkey).

When you fly into the airport there are a few small shops where you can pick up cheap wines and spirits before you go through customs.

The staff generally look very surly but efficient, which is most important. I find security not as strict as in the UK.

There are two airports in Cyprus Larnaca and Paphos, both are very small and certainly not big enough for the many travellers passing through. Definitely need investments to improve these facilities.

Easy Jet has just started flying into Larnaca, which is well worth it as they are by far the cheapest. Check out Easy Jets website.

Cyprus Airways
Monarch
British Airways
Easy Jet

Above are the airlines visiting Larnaca daily.

In summary if we have to go to any of these small airports we have to put up with their downfalls. My advice is taking plenty of water as nothing worse than dehydration. Take plenty of reading material to avoid boredom and most of all stay as cool as possible, hand held fans are very useful.

Summary: NOTHING CAN BE DONE WITHOUT INVESTING MONEY