The EU funding for the construction of a new airport on Paros —designed to be 17 times larger than the current building —has been definitively lost. This project had accumulated several problems, including a conflict between companies at the time of contract award, a very limited eligibility period for European funds, procedural issues regarding the building permit, scarcity of construction materials and opposition from citizens who had filed an appeal.
This new situation has reignited the debate on the usefulness of such a project. The municipal council has met. On this occasion, the media “Paros Voice” incorrectly stated that our association had filed an appeal with the Council of State, which is inaccurate. At the time, the Friends believed that a public and balanced debate was necessary to assess the project’s added value and impact. They therefore organised such a debate within the association, but in a public and open manner. The cancellation of funding for the project presents another opportunity to open a public debate among the populations of Paros and Antiparos. We believe this is necessary. But it requires that the discussion be based on the one hand, on concrete and verifiable facts, and on the other, be conducted with respect for differing opinions.
Can we please go back to 1998 when Paros was a wonderful island. Too many ferries and new buildings!
There are two quite separate issues involved when considering a larger airport., namely a larger terminal and a longer runway ..
Anyone using Paros airport currently becomes very aware that the existing terminal is totally inadequate for the number of passengers passing through especially at busy times . It is crowded, uncomfortable and often involves passengers having to wait in long queues while car parking is a nightmare . The terminal experience creates a very bad image of Paros especially when visitors are leaving .
More terminal capacity for passenger handling could be provided at relatively low cost without also building an extended runway. . This could be done by adding an extension to the existing terminal or even building a temporary building for summer use . The aim would be to provide adequate and improved facilities for the current passenger levels or those projected in the near future . This seems something we could all agree on.
Extending the runway to take larger aircraft from more distant origins and requiring a terminal many times larger than the current raises many complex issues some of which are divisive . It also involves large capital costs and is likely to require EU funding..
Does it not make sense to concentrate efforts on improving all terminal facilities and leave aside the question of a longer runway ??
Very sensible approach
Yes, exactly — this is what we’ve been supporting from the start: just improve the terminal and the parking, maybe the control tower, without touching the runway.
As for funding, I believe that there’s no more EU money available for airports.
Most likely, it will be its new owner who decides on its development plan!
I like most full time residents of long standing ..were never keen on such an enormous project.
All I want to see is a decent car park that is manned and a charge nade .. so that cars are not left for months at a time while the owners lead a city life for a while. There is a huge need to upgrade the departures hall and modetnise the arrivals.. nothing else.. no package tour Jets from outside the EU.. and no cheap airlines… If a debate is needed to discuss these basic needs then so be it..but i think they are fundamental for daily use. Just do it soon.. no more summers like this one!
Thanks