A Cyprus-based consortium headed by Melco International Development Ltd is to open a so-called ‘satellite casino’ in the terminal building of Larnaka International Airport (pictured), near the port city of Larnaka on the south coast of Cyprus.
The operator of the Larnaka airport, Hermes Airports Ltd, signed a two-year agreement with Integrated Casino Resorts Cyprus Ltd (ICR Cyprus), under which the airport operating company will provide ICR Cyprus “with two specific locations in the terminal building of Larnaka airport in order to create a ‘satellite casino’ in the city of Larnaka”.
“The first location to be allocated is situated in the departures area, accessible only to departing passengers, whilst the second one is situated in the arrivals area, accessible to the general public,” said Hermes Airports and Melco International in a joint press release.
“The first location is expected to be ready and operational in the next three months whilst the second one is expected to be ready by the end of the year,” the two parties added.
According to the release, the satellite casino at Larnaka airport will operate approximately 50 gaming machines.
Hong Kong-listed Melco International controls 75 percent of ICR Cyprus, with Cyprus Phasouri (Zakaki) Ltd, a Cyprus-based conglomerate, holding the remainder.
The consortium opened on June 28 a temporary casino in the southern city of Limassol, in Cyprus, to cater to players until the City of Dreams Mediterranean casino resort is complete. The temporary casino is to remain open until 2021, when construction of City of Dreams Mediterranean – also located in Limassol – is forecast to be finished. A ground breaking ceremony for City of Dreams Mediterranean was held on June 8.
The Melco International-led consortium received in June 2017 a 30-year casino licence from the Republic of Cyprus government. The initial single licence also allows the holder to build three additional satellite casinos, namely in Nicosia, Famagusta and Paphos.
