Kythera State Airport seems to be operating smoothly lately and while we have already entered the heart of the summer tourist season. According to the latest information, the airport has adequate staffing during the summer months. More specifically has been transferred to Kythera permanent Installation Electrician and for the Medium Voltage Substation, while a telecommunications operator has been detached AFISO and a firefighter. It is recalled that the non-recruitment of permanent staff by the Civil Aviation Authority puts a greater financial burden on its budget, since the daily allowances for seconded staff now exceed €100. Also, as has been reported in the press, after the accident in Tempe, the issue of staffing with sufficient and properly trained staff at all airports in the country.
The commander of the Civil Aviation Authority did not respond to Kythera.News' questions
Kythera.News highlighted recently, the issues of the airport upgrade and the understaffing of the YPA staff working on it. And a short time later was vindicated by the developments themselves, after being released at the airport second qualified firefighter of the Ministry of Defence.
Following that investigation, on 30 March we contacted the Commander of the Civil Aviation Authority, Mr Christos Tsitouras to ask him our questions, based on the information we had that a few days ago he was found at the airport of our island a team of inspectors of the A.P.A.. The questions we raised concerned not only the understaffing and airport security given that the site is cut off from the urban fabric of the island's settlements and is not guarded.
Mr Tsitouras has never replied to date. Of course, he may have his reasons. What we have to bring to the attention of our readers is that highlighting the issues of our airport seems to be yielding results. In any case, we publish below the letter to Mr.Tsitouras and hope that in the future he will not «prophesy» any more bad things because of the limited interest of the state for the passenger aviation public. Even Fraport in a recent letter fully justifies the report and the questions of Kythera.News
Letter from Kythera.News to the Commander of the Civil Aviation Authority, Mr Christos Tsitouras
Thursday, 30 March 2023
Subject: Question regarding the safety of the operation of Kythera State Airport
Dear Mr. Governor,
I am contacting you to inform me about issues concerning the Kythera State Airport «Alexandros Arist. Onassis».
Before I addressed the AIA, the service you are in charge of, I addressed the Ministry of Public Works regarding the problems of Kythera Airport, without receiving adequate and convincing answers, while in general there is concern, especially after publications in the Athenian Press and in the national media, about the safety of flights, especially of small airports, such as the one of Kythera, after the tragedy of Tempe.
I initially contacted your office regarding issues concerning the Kythera State Airport «Alexandros Arist. Onassis» and the courteous staff referred me to contact Mr. Angelos Beligiannis. In contact with him on March 28, 2023, he confirmed the visit of a team of inspectors of the A.P.A. to the airport of our island, but for further information he referred me again to your office.
As there is concern among residents, the majority of whom use the plane as a means of transport, I would like to ask you to inform me about the following high-level issues:
1. Aircraft Fire Safety
Due to the closed society of the island, the understaffing of the Airport's fire protection is noted, following the retirement on 31-12-2022 of the second permanent Airport Firefighter, but also the departure of a reliable Fire Engine, while the original 1985 P.O. remained damaged and heavily oxidized.
2. Control Tower Staffing
The Airport Control Tower is staffed by only one employee, who also happens to be the Airport Manager, making it difficult for him to perform his duties, as he is on 24-hour standby for air ambulances and emergency activations, and in case of his illness, the Airport is unable to operate.
3. Medium voltage substation
The airport is supplied with electricity through a 16KV medium voltage substation with 600 KVA, without a certified electrical engineer for the amount of power involved.
4. Security of the Airport premises
The Airport area is vulnerable to unlawful acts because it is cut off from the urban fabric of the island's settlements and is not guarded.
Awaiting your reply in order to stop the rhetoric and concern about the security issues at the Airport.
