Athens Airport major expansion project given the green light

Athens’ International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” is set to receive a huge expansion and major renovations, after the massive project was given the green light.

According to Ypodomes, this is the first major step for the launch of the project that is expected to reach a budget of 700 million euros.

The expansion project of the Greek capital’s airport will take place after the renovations of 14 regional airports by Fraport, including Mykonos, Kos,  and Zakynthos.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) also announced last week that it would be providing a 28-year, 180-million-euro loan to Greece for the construction of a new airport on Crete. Ariadne Airport Group will undertake the construction and operation of Crete’s highly-anticipated Kastelli Airport, a 517-million-euro project for a period of 35 years.

For AIA, approval has been granted for the modification of the spatial planning for the construction of a new airport apron, a new general aviation track and a new building to host and support ground services; plus construction of a new taxi rank, northwest of the commercial park.

The new terminal will include several new gates equipped with jetways, ramps, new VIP and lounge areas, shopping and dining areas, etc.

With the above projects an area of 100,000 sq.m. will be added to the facilities of the airport, part of which is the expansion of the satellite station. The goal is for Athens International Airport to be able to handle 30m passengers per year, with a long-term goal to achieve a capacity of 50 million passengers per year, by 2040.