New Paphos airport road gains traction with US backing

Local PaphosPaphos AirportroadsTop News New Paphos airport road gains traction with US backing New Paphos Airport Road Gains Traction With Us Backing Relevant News US launches ‘economic D-Day’ sanctions targeting Iran’s trade partners 24 August 2026 New Paphos airport road gains traction with US backing 24 August 2026 Fortifying Ukraine: inside Europe’s €90 billion support plan 24 August 2026 Dora Christodoulou 24 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The United States has formally raised the need for a new road to Paphos International Airport on national security grounds, marking the first time such grounds have been invoked to try to overcome environmental objections that have repeatedly blocked the project, according to information obtained by Phileleftheros. The proposal, put forward by the US Air Force’s 435th Contingency Response Squadron, based in Germany, calls for a second access road to serve as an alternative emergency route to the “Andreas Papandreou” air base, which shares the site with Paphos airport. It is the first time national security has been cited to try to overcome environmental obstacles that have repeatedly blocked construction of a road through the Ezousas river estuary, within the Natura 2000 Ezousas, Xeros and Diarizou River Estuaries Special Protection Area. Phileleftheros reported months ago that the issue of new road access to Paphos airport had been formally raised by the Americans in connection with facilities they receive and an upgrade they are considering for the “Andreas Papandreou” air base. According to information obtained by Phileleftheros, the Defence Ministry, following the US proposal, has held a series of contacts with all relevant bodies to inform them of the new approach and the government’s position. The ministry is now expected to submit a formal proposal to the Cabinet to advance the process. The US, which has expressed particular interest in upgrading the “Andreas Papandreou” air base, regards a second road access as a key element of operational readiness and security. The plan includes the use of neighbouring land, as well as infrastructure works intended to strengthen interoperability with the US and its European partners. The 435th Contingency Response Squadron has already carried out two visits to Cyprus, conducting an on-site inspection of the air base and drawing up specific technical and operational proposals, among which, according to the information, was the issue of more direct access to the base. Paphos authorities consider the airport expansion, and the expected permanent increase in passenger numbers, cannot be supported by the existing road, which dates to 1960s specifications, and regard a modern road connecting the airport with Paphos and the tourist areas of Kato Paphos and Coral Bay as directly linked to the expansion works. They believe the airport expansion project strengthens the case for finally completing the long-sought new road, a project repeatedly blocked by what they consider unreasonable environmental objections. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News US launches ‘economic D-Day’ sanctions targeting Iran’s trade partners Fortifying Ukraine: inside Europe’s €90 billion support plan On this day: Yelena Isinbayeva sets new women’s pole vault record in 2004 500-year-old oak leads Paphos’s smart tourism trail Things to do on Monday, August 24 Abandoned but valuable: what Cyprus could do with 30,000 empty buildings Protected Lara turtle beach dispute intensifies as illegal umbrellas, tents defy law Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.