Athens International Airport

Athens International Airport
Name	Athens International Airport
IATA	ATH
ICAO	LGAV
Owner	Greek State
Operator	Athens International Airport S.A.
City-served	Athens
Location	Spata-Artemida
Opened	28 March 2001
Hub	*Aegean Airlines *Olympic Air *Sky Express
Metric-elev	94
Coordinates	37, 56, 11, N...

Athens International Airport, also known by its marketing name Eleftherios Venizelos, is the primary international airport serving the city of Athens and the region of Attica. It is located in the Spata-Artemida area, approximately 20 kilometres east of central Athens. The airport commenced operations in 2001, replacing the older Ellinikon International Airport, and serves as a major hub for Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, and Sky Express, facilitating connections across Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

History

The decision to construct a new airport for Athens was driven by the limitations of the former Ellinikon International Airport and the anticipated demand for the 2004 Summer Olympics. A consortium led by the German company Hochtief and including Greek partners was awarded the contract under a Build–operate–transfer model. Named after statesman Eleftherios Venizelos, the airport was inaugurated on 28 March 2001 by then-Prime Minister Costas Simitis. Its opening marked a significant modernization of Greece's aviation infrastructure, coinciding with the country's adoption of the euro and its preparations for the 2004 Summer Olympics hosted in Athens.

Facilities and terminals

The airport features a single main passenger terminal building designed by the architecture firm Aéroports de Paris. The terminal is divided into two halls: the main terminal and the satellite terminal, connected by an underground tunnel featuring an exhibition from the Acropolis Museum. It houses extensive shopping areas operated by Hellenic Duty Free Shops S.A. and numerous dining outlets. The airport is also a major cargo hub, with facilities operated by companies like Swissport and Menzies Aviation, and includes premium lounges for airlines such as Aegean Airlines and SkyTeam.

Airlines and destinations

As a pivotal hub in Southeastern Europe, the airport hosts a wide network of carriers. The dominant carrier is Aegean Airlines, a member of Star Alliance, which operates an extensive route network to domestic destinations like Thessaloniki and Heraklion and international cities including London, Paris, and Frankfurt. Other significant operators include Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air, which offer numerous routes across Europe. Long-haul services are provided by Delta Air Lines to New York, United Airlines to Washington, and Emirates to Dubai.

Ground transportation

The airport is well-connected to Athens and beyond via multiple transport modes. The Attiki Odos motorway provides direct road access to the National Road network. Public rail transport is served by the Proastiakos suburban railway, offering services to Larissa Station and the port of Piraeus, and the Athens Metro Line 3, which connects directly to the city centre at Syntagma Square. Extensive bus services are operated by OSY and KTEL Attikis, with express routes to key locations like Piraeus and Kifissos Bus Station.

Statistics and traffic

The airport has consistently ranked as the busiest in Greece and a leading airport in the Balkans. Passenger traffic surpassed 25 million annually prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with record numbers handled in 2019. It serves as a critical transfer point between Europe and Asia, with significant transit traffic. Cargo operations are robust, managed through dedicated facilities that handle freight for carriers like Cargolux and Qatar Airways Cargo. The airport is owned by the Greek State and operated by Athens International Airport S.A., a publicly traded company on the Athens Exchange.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has maintained an excellent safety record since its opening. There have been no major accidents involving commercial aircraft at the facility. Its modern design, advanced ILS capabilities, and adherence to strict EASA regulations contribute to its high safety standards. The former control tower from Ellinikon International Airport was retained for historical purposes, but all operational air traffic control is conducted from the new facility under the authority of Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority.

Category:Airports in Greece Category:Buildings and structures in Attica Category:2001 establishments in Greece