Larnaca and Paphos will get 40 automatic gates. Document checks will change.

A total of 40 ABC Gates automated border control gates are to be installed at Larnaca and Paphos airports. According to the Minister of Justice, the devices should be delivered by the end of 2026 and then launched as soon as possible. They are intended to gradually replace the current document verification kiosks.

The new gates will allow for automatic document verification and comparison of the traveler's biometric data. Normally, passengers will be able to complete the check without approaching an officer. However, final rules regarding who will use the devices have not yet been announced.

Automatic gates at airports – what has been announced?

Information about the order was provided by the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Costas Fytiris, in response to a question from MP Giorgos Pamboridis.

This involves 40 devices for both airports combined. The announcement calls for their delivery by the end of the year and their launch as soon as possible. Therefore, this deadline should not be considered a guarantee that all gates will be operational by then.

The modernization is intended to improve document control and facilitate traffic management even with limited staffing. The final use of the devices and the categories of authorized travelers will be determined by the relevant ministries.

How is the gate different from the current kiosk?

Automating security in Cyprus isn't starting from scratch. BorderXpress kiosks have been operating at Larnaca and Paphos airports since July 2018.

Passengers can scan their documents at these kiosks and complete part of the electronic verification process. However, the current system doesn't complete the entire process—after using the kiosk, a check by an officer is still required.

ABC Gates are also expected to automate the final stage. The device will check the document, compare it with biometric data and allow you to pass if the check result is correct.

This does not mean eliminating oversight by the services. Cases requiring additional review will still need to be investigated by staff.

Who will be able to use the new devices?

This is one of the most important questions for travelers. The minister announced a review of gate rules, but did not provide a final list of supported documents, citizenships, or age restrictions.

Therefore, it's impossible to assume that every passenger will pass through the automatic gate. Detailed instructions will be important, including for families with children and those traveling with ID cards.

Until the system is launched, travelers should use current procedures and signage at the airport. The announcement of the modernization does not change the documents required for travel.

Biometrics and passenger privacy

In parallel, the aviation industry is discussing the wider use of biometrics, including during check-in and boarding.

On October 1, the Responsible Biometrics Travel Industry Coalition was established, bringing together, among others, ACI EUROPE, IATA, Amadeus, IDEMIA Public Security and SITA.

The coalition advocates for the voluntary use of such services, the preservation of an alternative without biometrics, and passenger control over the sharing and deletion of data.

These are demands regarding travel services, not the announced rules of Cypriot border control. They should not be automatically transferred to the operation of the new ABC gateways.

The gates do not mean entry into Schengen

The purchase of the equipment is part of the modernization of controls and preparations for future European requirements. However, it does not constitute a decision on Cyprus's full accession to Schengen.

It's also important to distinguish between the gates themselves and the European Entry/Exit System (EES). While the device is a control tool, the EES is a separate system for recording border crossings by specific groups of travelers.

For passengers, the most important change remains the practical one: some checks will be carried out more efficiently and without visiting the window. The exact launch date and terms of use are still to be confirmed.

Sources: CNA, Cyprus Mail, Cyprus Police, ACI EUROPE.