Comment – intervention by our compatriot Spyros Michalakis after the response from Nikos Hardalias, Regional Governor of Attica on the subject of upgrading Kythira State Airport. Read more below.
«At a recent meeting of the Attica Regional Council, Regional Councilor Maria Kazakou raised (in my humble opinion, an excellent intervention) the issue of KYTHIRA Airport and the need for its expansion and improvement.
You will see the relevant excerpt attached. It is worth watching to see the full extent of the intervention.
I think that as Tsirigotes, we owe a big thank you to Ms. Kazakou for bringing this issue to light.
However:
A. I was honestly surprised by the reaction of Regional Governor Charalambos, who suggests that because the airport is located in a Natura area, it cannot become an airport. However, this is not the case. As he himself acknowledges, an environmental study is required. Which he does not seem willing to support.. Resorting to sophistry and asking the opposition to provide him with a study. However the role of the Regional Governor is to take the initiative for the mature demands of the residents. And especially on such a critical issue that is crucial for the life and development of Kythira.
B. I consider that The intervention of Mr. Katsikaris, the advisor, is unacceptable. who stirred up issues selfishness (!), considered that the people of Kythira did not want the airport to be expanded and referred to localist conflicts. And an unacceptable reference to the role of DOMESTIC.
I wonder where he got all that information.
See for yourselves, people of Kythira, and judge.
Based on what I know, the relevant study could include the airport expansion. There are many cases internationally where this is the case. There are many airports in Natura areas where not only are birds not disturbed, but they are also (proudly) developing habitats. Many of you will have seen Larnaca Airport in Cyprus or Munich Airport in Germany (one of the largest airports in the world).
Excuses are unacceptable. And the consequences could be dramatic. Without the airport expansion, Kythira is doomed.
As you can see in the attached photo, Kythira benefits very little from the huge increase in passenger traffic. We are second to last in terms of growth for 2021-23, just above Kastellorizo. Because the airport cannot actually accommodate modern jet aircraft.
In my opinion, our municipality should take the lead in moving forward and providing appropriate support for this study requested by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, and of course for the financing of the construction. It should also point out the error in its approach to the Regional Council. And it should condemn Mr. Katsikaris' unacceptable remarks.
Nikos Hardalias on Kythira Airport: Upgrade unlikely due to Natura 2000 (video)
