The House of Representatives last evening approved the government's controversial bill on the Build, Operate, Transfer method of airport management, opening the way for private investors to participate in the expansion and management of the airports. The bill will come into effect on the 1 March 2002. The government intends to expand Larnaca airport to enable handling 8 million passengers, the cost of which is estimated at around CYP 200 million.
The bill was voted by a majority of 32-20, supported by all parties except AKEL and the Environmentalists.
During the time of examination of the bill by the House, over 300 airport workers of the unions PEO, SEK, DEOK and PASYDY staged a strike outside the building protesting against endorsement of the BOT, fearing that this will jeopardise workers' rights, despite assurances by the Minister of Communications & Works to the contrary.
From the four-hour strike yesterday more than 40 flights were postponed and inconvenience caused to passengers both at Larnaca and Paphos airports.
The bill was voted by a majority of 32-20, supported by all parties except AKEL and the Environmentalists.
During the time of examination of the bill by the House, over 300 airport workers of the unions PEO, SEK, DEOK and PASYDY staged a strike outside the building protesting against endorsement of the BOT, fearing that this will jeopardise workers' rights, despite assurances by the Minister of Communications & Works to the contrary.
From the four-hour strike yesterday more than 40 flights were postponed and inconvenience caused to passengers both at Larnaca and Paphos airports.
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