New airport terminal opening delayed again
THE opening of the new Ercan airport terminal has been delayed yet again, Public Works and Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı disclosed on Wednesday.
The minister had been hoping to open the new terminal on November 15 to coincide with the 39th anniversary of the Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence.
In September Dr Arıklı had said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan could fly into the new Ercan airport on November 15, and that “direct flights” from Russia could also commence on the date.
However neither of those events will happen on November 15, Dr Arıklı said during a “cocktail and presentation” for the media at the new terminal site.
He blamed the latest delay on “missing” technical equipment, which is waiting to be sent from abroad.
The minister said he will wait for the equipment to be brought to the TRNC because he wants there to be a “full, not a partial opening”.
In response to a question, Dr Arıklı said that President Erdoğan will not be able to attend this year’s November 15 ceremonies because of other engagements.
Members of the media were also given a tour of the new Ercan terminal, which is largely finished, to see what progress has been made since a previous press conference held there earlier this year.