Hellenikon International Airport

Hellenikon International Airport
Name	Hellenikon International Airport
Nativename	Διεθνής Αερολιμένας Ελληνικού
IATA	ATH
ICAO	LGAT
Type	Public
Owner	Hellenic Republic
City-served	Athens
Location	Elliniko
Opened	1938
Closed	2001

Hellenikon International Airport was the primary Athens air gateway for much of the 20th century, replacing Ellinikon, serving as the capital's main international and domestic terminal until the opening of Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) in 2001. Located in the Elliniko suburb on the Saronic Gulf coast, the airport linked Greece with Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, hosting national flag carrier Olympic Airways alongside carriers such as British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, and Pan Am. The site later became notable for post-closure redevelopment debates, heritage conservation, and large-scale urban planning proposals involving entities like the Greek government, Lamda Development, and the Hellenic Parliament.

History

The airfield originated in 1938 during the Metaxas regime era, initially constructed to serve both military units and civil aviation needs, and saw expansion in the post-World War II reconstruction period when Greek Civil War stabilization fostered renewed international links. During the Cold War, Hellenikon hosted transcontinental services by carriers such as TWA, KLM, Austrian Airlines, SAS, and Alitalia, while remaining a strategic node for NATO logistics given Greece's accession to NATO in 1952. The 1969 inauguration of a new international terminal coincided with the era of Greek junta (1967–1974) infrastructure projects, and the airport became integral during events like the 1971 Mediterranean Games and the 1980s tourism boom that paralleled growth in Aegean Airlines and charter operators.

Through the 1990s capacity strains from rising passenger volumes—driven by the expansion of the European Union market, the liberalization trends fostered by the European Commission, and the growth of package-tour operators such as Thomas Cook Group—prompted calls for a new hub. Planning for a replacement culminated in the selection of the Spata site and the construction of Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), designed by architects linked to firms like Foster and Partners and subject to financing from institutions including the European Investment Bank.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Hellenikon featured an international terminal complex with piers, a separate domestic terminal, customs and immigration facilities, and maintenance hangars serving carriers including Olympic Aviation and Hellenic Air Force liaison units. Runways were aligned with the coastal geography, allowing transcontinental aircraft such as the Boeing 747, Airbus A300, and Douglas DC-10 to operate regular services; ground handling was provided by companies like Swissport International affiliates and local ground agents. Navigational aids included precision approach radar systems supplied by firms similar to Thales Group and Honeywell, with air traffic control coordinated by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority.

The complex also contained ancillary infrastructure: cargo terminals used by forwarders such as DHL and UPS, duty-free retail operated under concessions akin to Aelia Duty Free, and VIP lounges patronized by statesmen and delegations from institutions like the European Parliament and the International Olympic Committee. Adjoining the airport were military installations that hosted aircraft of the Hellenic Air Force and facilities used during exercises with United States Air Force contingents.

Airlines and Destinations

At its operational peak in the 1990s, Hellenikon was served by a mix of legacy carriers, charter operators, and regional airlines. Regular scheduled carriers included Olympic Airways, Aegean Airlines, British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, Alitalia, Swissair, Iberia, SAS, and long-haul operators such as Pan Am (historically) and Delta Air Lines interlining via European partners. Seasonal charter services connected the airport to tour operators including TUI Group and Jet2.com-style carriers, flying to destinations across Western Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Cargo services linked Hellenikon with hubs like Frankfurt Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Charles de Gaulle Airport, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport through carriers and integrators such as FedEx and UPS Airlines. Regional routes connected to Greek islands via carriers like Olympic Air and smaller operators modeled on Sky Express.

Accidents and Incidents

During its operational life, the airport experienced several notable incidents involving international and domestic flights. These included aircraft accidents during adverse weather landings, ground collisions involving ground handling equipment, and security incidents reflective of wider regional tensions during decades marked by events such as the 1973 Athens Polytechnic uprising aftermath and periods of political unrest. High-profile investigations involved agencies comparable to the Air Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Board (Greece) and international bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organization where applicable. Some incidents prompted regulatory changes in airport safety, runway lighting upgrades, and revised emergency response coordination with services similar to the Hellenic Fire Service and National Center for Emergency Care (EKAB).

Redevelopment and Legacy

Following closure in 2001, the site entered a prolonged phase of redevelopment debate involving the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund, private developers like Lamda Development, and municipal stakeholders from Elliniko-Argyroupoli municipality. Proposals ranged from large-scale mixed-use projects incorporating parks, housing, commercial centers, and a casino complex backed by investors akin to Mohegan, to heritage conservation initiatives championed by architectural historians connected with institutions like the Benaki Museum and the National Technical University of Athens. Environmental planning incorporated inputs from organizations similar to World Wildlife Fund and urbanists influenced by examples such as Battery Park City and Canary Wharf.

The site has since been partially transformed into public green space projects and phased construction of residential and commercial zones, while aviation heritage groups have campaigned to preserve terminal architecture and air traffic control buildings as cultural monuments, citing parallels with preservation efforts at Kai Tak Airport and Tempelhof Airport. The airport's role in Greek aviation history is commemorated by exhibits, publications, and oral histories maintained by entities like the Hellenic Air Force Museum and academic programs at the University of Athens.

Category:Airports in Attica