Categories: Greek NEWS

Thessaloniki "at last gets the airport it deserves," says Greek PM

Thessaloniki "at last gets the airport it deserves," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated during an event to mark the completion of upgrades at 14 regional airports.

Fraport Greece's innovative €440 million investment has significantly transformed these airports.

"As we carefully walk towards the exit of the COVID-19 health crisis, these airports will become our national bridges for a freer and more efficient summer, as we continue to build a wall of immunity with our vaccine rollout," Mitsotakis said.

The Thessaloniki Airport upgrade worth €100 million, will have twice as many departure gates, many more retail facilities and can accommodate about 10 million people a year. It handled 6.9 million in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic.

The investment is expected to add over 10,000 new jobs, improve customer services, and create a better working environment for all.

It will be able to serve 10 million visitors annually, which opens great opportunities for the city of Thessaloniki as well.

The 14 Greek airports renovated by the German-led consortium could serve as "bridges" for a summer of greater freedom after months of lockdown. The upgraded airports:

  • Thessaloniki
  • Kavala
  • Aktion
  • Corfu
  • Chania (Crete)
  • Kefalonia
  • Kos
  • Lesvos
  • Mykonos
  • Rhodes
  • Samos
  • Santorini
  • Skiathos
  • Zakynthos.

International passengers account for over 70% of the total traffic at these airports.

The entire project involved building 5 new modern airports, expanding 5, and redesigning 4 of them.

In addition, 12 landing and takeoff corridors were constructed and 12 Fire Brigade stations were upgraded.

"As we reach the end of the pandemic, we all hope that the increased summer traffic will allow us to look forward to a better tourist period than the one we had last year," Mitsotakis said.

Greece reopened to tourism on May 15. All travellers to the country will have to fill in a passenger locator form (PLF) detailing where they will be staying and for how long and will also have to present a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19 or a recent negative PCR test or an official document certifying recent recovery from the virus.

*More on GCT: ‘Meteoron’ by internationally renowned Greek sculptor Kostis Georgiou placed in Thessaloniki
Ads1

Ads1
GCT Team

This article was researched and written by a GCT team member.

Recent Posts

Trump's Crypto Revolution: President Launches Working Group to Reform U.S. Digital Asset Policy

On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the formation of a dedicated cryptocurrency working group…

11 minutes ago

Kimberly Guilfoyle Honored by Greek American Leaders

Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. Ambassador to Greece-designate, was honored at an event in Washington, D.C.,…

3 hours ago

BREAKING NEWS: Trump Allegedly Signs Order to Declassify Files on JFK, RFK, and MLK

In a stunning revelation, former President Donald Trump has reportedly signed an order to declassify…

3 hours ago

U.S. Air Force Eyes Cyprus Airbase for Middle East Humanitarian Operations

The U.S. Air Force is assessing upgrades to Cyprus’ Andreas Papandreou Air Base to enhance…

5 hours ago

Greece to Enhance Strategic Military Capabilities with New Submarine Acquisition

Greece plans to acquire two submarines equipped with ballistic missiles, marking a major shift in…

6 hours ago

Mikel Coffee Gears Up for India Launch with Greko India Partnership

Greek coffee chain Mikel Coffee is set to enter the Indian market by partnering with…

6 hours ago