Years go by, but nothing is being done about extending the runway at Kythira Airport. This is a necessary project so that larger aircraft can use this airport. We remind you that charter flights from a number of countries have been suspended. due to the fact that runway specifications are not considered adequate for the type of aircraft they use. The result is a loss of tourists who are turning to other destinations...
The Kythera.News has been closely monitoring developments for two and a half years. Following recent articles us (where we referred to the silence and abandonment of the issue by the Region of Attica and the Municipality of Kythira) we contacted the Civil Aviation Authority to inform us about its own responsibilities and actions. It should be noted that, according to Deputy Regional Governor Attica Islands Vasso Bogri, as early as December 2020 had been established significant delay by the competent environmental services of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks and the Ministry of Environment and Energy for the approval of the renewal of the environmental conditions of the existing airport infrastructure.
Two questions of major importance to the Civil Aviation Authority
During his recent research Kythera.News New information has come to light that has prompted us to ask two questions of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority:
Question 1on: Study for the construction of an extension to the runway at Kythira Airport
We requested information from the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority regarding the its responsibilities regarding the renewal of environmental terms of the existing airport infrastructure. We also requested a response from the service Who is ultimately responsible for the delay in implementing this project?;
Question 2on: Airport Fire Safety
Recently One of the two drivers/firefighters from the airport fire department retired.. As a result, this news caused widespread concern among travelers and residents of the island that, due to understaffing, fire safety and, more generally, the safety of airport passengers are called into question. What is the Agency's response to this, and what does it intend to do to fill the gap?;
We addressed the written question specifically to to the Governor of the Civil Aviation Authority, Georgios Dritsakos, as well as in Head of the Airports Directorate, Zoe Drogosi and the Head of Technical Services Despoina Tsouka dated 09.01.2023.
The Service never informed us. We contacted the Civil Aviation Authority repeatedly and specifically with the Administrator's Office and Ms. Sofia Boyatzidou, who assured us every time that They will respond today, tomorrow, early next week... To date, February 21, 2023, we have received only silence from Mr. Dritsakos and the relevant departments.
The silence of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority and growing uncertainty
Based on what has become known and what we have published from time to time, it appears that Over the past four years, not only has the airport failed to embark on a course of upgrading, with the much-vaunted expansion study, but its safe operation has even been downgraded.. And to make ourselves clearer, we will ask an additional question here: What would happen if the airport's sole fire safety officer were to fall ill one day?; Will flights to and from Kythira cease to operate?; And in addition what the airlines will do once they are informed of the situation at the airport; Everyone can understand and draw their own conclusions.
Latest developments
We recently learned that one of the two fire trucks owned by Kythira Airport has been removed from the island. Until February 8, 2023, at the airport runway there was only one vehicle, which is also the oldest. It now seems like a peculiar «deforestation» operation for the airport which two years ago celebrated its 50th anniversary in style.
The island, with its tourist season lasting just two months, is at risk
Unfortunately, Kythira is sinking into uncertainty. For three decades, tourism on the island has been limited to a two-month season. Its economic growth is being called into question at a time when businesses are suffocating from the rapid increase in operating costs due to inflation., with all that this entails (liquidity, loan servicing, difficulty in finding staff for only two months, etc.). If immediate action is not taken, and as long as the local and central government remain indifferent, Kythira will become less attractive for business and for permanent residents, with all that this entails.
Given these facts, silence is not golden. It is guilt.
Below is the letter to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) in its entirety.
