Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Marios Demetriades has said that government favours the opening of small hotel, shops and exhibition spaces at the site of the old Larnaca International Airport.

He told reporters on Sunday that the government is evaluating the interest exhibited by three organisations from abroad on how to utilize the site.

Speaking on the sidelines of a basketball charity event in Nicosia, he said three companies have shown interest to commercialize the site during a bidding process that was held together with Hermes Airports which is administrating the airports for the next 15 years. He said “we hope to reach an agreement for a development project that will help the local economy”.

The proposals by the three foreign companies concern a combination of development that include shops, small hotel and a logistics centre, noting the site is suitable for such development.

Asked when there will be a decision, Demetriades said that they began evaluating the proposals and when the decision is taken they will begin negotiations. “We hope to conclude in the next months because all airports usually have similar developments near their site so it is important to proceed with it”.

Demetriades also said that the procedure to grant certain security services to handle passenger screening at the island’s airports has not yet been completed, noting this is something that will take place gradually.

He also said that measures have been taken at Paphos Airports to alleviate the overcrowding.

Minister Demetriades also said that at the end of May the bidding contest for the construction of a new Archaeological Museum in Nicosia will be announced. The total funds allocated for a new museum are estimated at 50 million euros and construction is scheduled to start in 2018.