4 years ago, contracts were signed for a 5-year expansion programme for North Cyprus International Ercan Airport (flight code ECN) close to the Cyprus capital Lefkosa (Nicosia). This is due to be completed sometime in 2020.
Visitors taking flights to Ercan airport can see a huge difference from the airport they arrived a few years ago. Sophisticated pre-flight lounges, Duty-Free Shopping and dining areas now exist – putting the pre-flight facilities on a par with the larger Larnaca Airport in the south of Cyprus. Yet this is just the beginning.
New Ercan Airport Luxury Departure Lounges – ready now!
Departing and arriving passengers from Ercan are delighted to find brand new departure and arrivals halls now fully refurbished with Costa Coffee-style Gloria Jeans coffee shops, state of the art rest areas, VIP departure lounges and Duty-Free shops selling all kinds of Cyprus food, drink and delicacies. Ercan Airport is being established as a modern, thriving airport of a similar quality to Larnaca. In addition, being outside the general European area, travellers departing from Ercan in Northern Cyprus can also take advantage of generous duty-free allowances for gifts, perfumes tobacco and alcohol.
Four years North Cyprus International Ercan Airport Upgrade Programme launched January 2015
There are several international airlines already touching down at Ercan Airport including flights to North Cyprus from the UK with Pegasus, Atlas Jet and Turkish Airlines plus wider array of additional airlines including Anadolujet arriving with local flights from Istanbul and other airports in Turkey which bringing passengers from all over the world.
Although international flights to Ercan North Cyprus International Airport can currently only arrive from Turkey, it is, of course, envisaged that at some point in the future there will be direct flights to this upgraded airport from all over the world.
The final phase of expansion, now almost completed, will see both passenger numbers to North Cyprus and airline carriers massively increasing.
Here are some statistics:
Previous runway length – 1,700m2. New runway length 3.200m2
The current number of runways – 1. New number – 2 (both 3,200m2)
Future annual passenger capacity – up to 10 million projected
Future parking 1,500 indoor parking spaces (4 storeys high) plus 1.500 outdoor parking spaces.
Future check-in desks – 60. 44 passport controls.
Future m2 of the whole airport – 1.800,000m2
A business hub for the Eastern Mediterranean
Ercan Airport – North Cyprus
The modernization programme for North Cyprus’ International Airport is seen by investment and financial experts as an indication that North Cyprus is moving forward to establish itself as a leading investment and business hub in the Eastern Mediterranean for trade, tourism, real estate, healthcare and education. It is also believed that direct tourist flights to Ercan Airport from Europe will eventually be approved and that the array of airlines and routes to North Cyprus will increase in line with the expected increase in visitors and tourists to the north of the island.
Onwards travel from Ercan International Airport to North Cyprus destinations
It is easy to get to your destination once you have landed at Ercan. Here are your options:
- Airport taxi – there are plenty of airport taxis available for hire
- Bus service – The Kibhas Bus Service (kibhas.org) has good schedules to and from Kyrenia (Girne), Famagusta, Nicosia (Lefkosa), Guzelyurt and Lefke.
- Car Hire – there are many North Cyprus Car Hire companies who will meet you at the airport and you can drive yourself to your destination. NCI can book you a car hire if you wish.
- COURTESY AIRPORT TRANSFER for all those viewing properties with our company, North Cyprus International (NCI)– call us for details on +44 207 112 8086 or +90 548 861 0600.
