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The transport minister of Cyprus has come forward to deny claims that the country's airports would be hitting tourists with high charges.

Harris Thrassou assured other tourism officials that the charges imposed on visitors would not be higher than those levied at other airports in Europe.

He was speaking after a number of figures raised concerns that the charges set to be introduced at the new Larnaca airport in April, July and November would be make the hub one of the most expensive, reports the Cyprus Mail.

Some critics have claimed that the charges would generate £150m but Mr Thrassou strongly denies this, saying only £68m would be collected.

'The reality is that the revenue is less than half of what they [critics] claim,' he said.

'The airports in Cyprus will not be more expensive than those in other European countries. In fact we will be much cheaper than Eleftherios Venizelos [Athens] and around 50 per cent cheaper than Malta, which is also a tourist destination.'

Cyprus is currently carrying out major work on its airports, with Larnaca and Paphos due to be completed in November 2009 and some time in 2008 respectively.

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