Cyprus airports to replace passport scanners with automated border control gates

Nicosia, Cyprus. Electronic passport control scanners at Larnaca and Paphos airports will be replaced with fully automated border control gates by the end of the year, Justice Minister Costas Fitiris said.

The changes are being made as Cyprus prepares to join Europe’s Schengen area.

Automated gates planned

In a written response to a question from Disy MP George Pamboridis, Fitiris said the new systems, known as ABC gates, would be installed at both airports.

He said the existing scanners had originally been selected because of space limitations at the airports. However, under the current system, a passport control officer must still carry out the final verification of each traveller and their documents before entry.

“ABC gates are fully automated border control systems, which also use biometric technologies,” he said.

Fitiris said the gates would be particularly effective when staffing levels are reduced.

Use to be reviewed

He said the competent ministries would review the use of the ABC gates and the categories of travellers who would be processed through them to establish the most effective framework for their operation.

This review will continue until internal border controls are abolished following Cyprus’ accession to the Schengen area, at which point the gates will be withdrawn, he said.

Passport controls will nevertheless remain necessary for travellers of all nationalities arriving in Cyprus from countries outside the Schengen area.

Schengen assessment

The question of Cyprus joining the Schengen area is expected to be considered by the Council of the European Union next month.

The European Commission confirmed in June that it had made a positive assessment of Cyprus’ preparedness to join. Commission spokesman Markus Lammert said the college of commissioners had adopted a report on Cyprus’ application based on monitoring carried out for the EU’s annual State of Schengen report, released in May.

The Commission is due to formally present the State of Schengen report to the Council of the European Union in September.