Larnaca – Apr 2012

 

LANDSIDE

A new terminal has opened here and views of most gates and the runway can be had from either side of the terminal. No views of the biz, cargo or hanger area from here though.

 

Mckenzie beach is the best place to be and is at the opposite end of the airport. You can literally get within meters of the runway threshold and has views over the biz, cargo and hanger area. Arrivals and departures pass very close by and allow for excellent photo opportunities. There are several bar restaurants alongside the beach as well as a shop and facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AIRSIDE

All movements should be seen.

 

HOTELS

A report on another website suggests the Lordos hotel is on Mckenzie beach. Its not true, its 10 miles away and has no views.

 

The Flamingo hotel is however located here and the rooftop pool and bar area looked fairly nice and had good views. Reports on tripadvisor were not so good so not sure how good the rooms will be. I stayed at the Lordos which is supposed to be 4 star. It was more like 2 star. Standards in Cyprus don’t seem to be very high so don’t expect too much wherever you go.

 

There are a few other apartment blocks around here all within a minutes walk of the beach, but none of them looked to appealing.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

Larnaca is extremely quiet and really not worth the bother. I was always under the assumption that some interesting flights passed through but I didn’t see any. Maybe they came in late and went early. If you want a beach holiday while watching the planes then I suggest you go to Palma or elsewhere as there is very little to bother about here. Not only that but as far as holiday resorts go I can’t understand why Larnaca is so popular. Its rundown with poor beaches and not much going on. Theres a lot nicer places to go in Spain, Greece, Turkey etc.

 

In 5 days I made 16 and that was being lucky as I filled a few gaps. Apart from Cyprus Airways expect 4 or 5 flight each from Aegean and Olympic.

 

Egyptair offer an E170 a few times a week in the evening. Jordanian E190 seen once. Aeroflot A321 daily. Bulgaria Air twice a week. Ryanair have a few flights a week. Norwegian Air Shuttle, Travel Service, Tarom, Blue Air and Arkia pitched up at some point.

 

There was 1 or 2 biz movements each day with 5 or 6 usually on the ground.

A TNT B737 turned up daily on cargo with a Jordanian A310 on 1 day