Paphos International Airport has broken ground on the second phase of its long-planned expansion, a €220 million works package that will add new rapid-exit taxiways, lengthen the southern parallel taxiway and enlarge the main terminal by roughly one-third. According to operator Hermes Airports, the project is designed to alleviate bottlenecks that have increasingly plagued the island’s second-busiest gateway as passenger numbers rebound to record levels. Construction crews began air-side works overnight on 27 November after the last departure, allowing daytime flight operations to continue with minimal disruption.
The centrepiece is the installation of two rapid-exit taxiways that will let aircraft vacate the single runway in half the current time, increasing peak-hour movements from 12 to 18 flights. A larger aircraft parking apron and an upgraded baggage-handling system will follow. Hermes says the air-side portion should be finished before the 2026 summer season, with the terminal extension—adding six departure gates, extra security lanes and a larger immigration hall—scheduled for completion in early 2027.
![Paphos International Airport Launches Runway-Expansion Project to Boost Capacity by 30 %]()
For business-travel planners and mobility managers, the works promise shorter turnaround times and more available slots for corporate jets, while also raising the likelihood that new direct services to Central Europe and the Gulf will be launched once capacity constraints ease. During construction, however, one arrivals-level traffic lane will remain closed, and passengers are advised to allow an additional 15 minutes for drop-off and pick-up. Hermes has erected way-finding signage and stationed traffic marshals during peak hours to keep vehicles moving.
The upgrade is strategically timed to dovetail with the EU’s upcoming Entry/Exit System (EES) rollout in October 2026, which will introduce biometric checks on all third-country nationals entering the Schengen area. Although Cyprus is not yet in Schengen, the government plans to run the same infrastructure to ensure a seamless transition once accession is finalised. Paphos’ new immigration hall is therefore being wired for automated e-gates and facial-recognition cameras comparable to those planned for Larnaca.
The centrepiece is the installation of two rapid-exit taxiways that will let aircraft vacate the single runway in half the current time, increasing peak-hour movements from 12 to 18 flights. A larger aircraft parking apron and an upgraded baggage-handling system will follow. Hermes says the air-side portion should be finished before the 2026 summer season, with the terminal extension—adding six departure gates, extra security lanes and a larger immigration hall—scheduled for completion in early 2027.
For business-travel planners and mobility managers, the works promise shorter turnaround times and more available slots for corporate jets, while also raising the likelihood that new direct services to Central Europe and the Gulf will be launched once capacity constraints ease. During construction, however, one arrivals-level traffic lane will remain closed, and passengers are advised to allow an additional 15 minutes for drop-off and pick-up. Hermes has erected way-finding signage and stationed traffic marshals during peak hours to keep vehicles moving.
The upgrade is strategically timed to dovetail with the EU’s upcoming Entry/Exit System (EES) rollout in October 2026, which will introduce biometric checks on all third-country nationals entering the Schengen area. Although Cyprus is not yet in Schengen, the government plans to run the same infrastructure to ensure a seamless transition once accession is finalised. Paphos’ new immigration hall is therefore being wired for automated e-gates and facial-recognition cameras comparable to those planned for Larnaca.
