As travelers and tourism operators wait impatiently for borders and hotels to reopen, some uplifting news for the travel sector was delivered from Fraport Greece on Wednesday.

While tourism in Greece has been slumbering, construction never stopped at the 14 regional airports operated by the German-Greek consortium, and a €440 million development program, launched in April 2017, has now been completed – three months ahead of schedule.

The giant project included a major improvements at all 14 airports, 3 of which are located on the mainland (Thessaloniki, Kavala and Aktion) and 11 on the islands (Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Samos, Skiathos, Lesvos, Kos, Rhodes, Santorini, Corfu, Mykonos, and Crete).

“Fraport Greece has delivered five brand new terminals, expanded and modernized five existing terminals, and upgraded four other terminals. Construction projects at airside operational areas of the regional airports included renovating 12 runways, improving ramp areas, and constructing and renovating 12 fire stations. All of the airports have also been equipped with new state-of-the-art baggage handling and security detection systems,” Fraport stated in a press release.

Worth particular mention is the €100 million development of the Thessaloniki Makedonia Airport, the largest airport in Fraport Greece’s portfolio and one it hopes to make an important hub. It now features a new terminal complex, more check-in desks and departure gates, and a wide range of restaurant and shopping facilities.

Four airports on the islands, namely the Mytilene International Airport “Odysseas Elytis” on Lesvos, the Kefalonia Anna Pollatou Airport, Corfu’s Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport and Kos Airport also have brand new terminals, while the busy airports of Mykonos and Santorini have also been significantly expanded.

The renovation of the regional airports is expected to bring a major boost to tourism around the country by facilitating more international flights to holiday destinations. Demand for these are expected to grow as tourism recovers and travelers seek to low-cost flights direct to their destinations.

Fraport Greece CEO, Alexander Zinell stated, “These airports will serve as a catalyst for restarting the vital Greek tourist industry. I am confident that these new state-of-the-art airport facilities will fully welcome and satisfy travelers wishing to explore the beauties of this magnificent country.”

Below are all 14 regional airports operated by Fraport, together with their latest upgrades:

MAINLAND AIRPORTS

Aktion Airport:

The terminal had a complete overhaul and a 2,500 square meter expansion – providing extra space for twice as many security checkpoints, 14 check-in counters, and 7 departure gates.

The works in detail (completed 2019)

• Expansion by 2,500 m2 and refurbishment of the existing terminal
• 75% increase in the number of check-in counters (from 8 to 14)
• Installation of modern baggage handling system
• 40% increase in the number of departure gates (from 5 to 7)
• Construction of new access control guardhouse in the aircraft area
• Reconfiguration of the apron
• Refurbishment of the airside pavement

Kavala Megas Alexandros Airport

The airport received a major refurbishment, as well as more than 1,900 square meter expansion.

Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia”

A €100 million development has created a new terminal complex, linked via skyway bridges to the redesigned existing terminal, thus doubling the amount of terminal space available. More check-in space, twice as many departure gates, and a wide range of restaurant and shopping facilities have been added.

The works in detail (completed 2021):

• 34,100 m2 new terminal constructed, with expansion of the existing and new landside access
• 45% increase in the number of check-in counters (from 30 to 44)
• 115% increase in the number of security lanes (from 6 to 14)
• Installation of modern baggage handling system
• 50% increase in the number of departure gates (from 16 to 24)
• 75% increase in the number of baggage reclaim belts (from 4 to 7)
• Expansion of the wastewater treatment plant and connection to the municipal service
• Construction of new fire station
• Construction of two new access control guardhouses in the aircraft area
• Reconfiguration of the apron
• Refurbishment of the airside pavement

ISLAND AIRPORTS

Chania (Hania) Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport

The terminal was completely modernized, while the number of gates increased by 25% and security checkpoints doubled.

Corfu Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport

A new terminal features nearly 10,400 square meters of space: including 28 check-in counters, 8 security checkpoints, and 12 departure gates.

The works in detail (completed 2021):

• Construction of 10,350 m2 new terminal,
• Refurbishment and expansion of the existing terminal
• 35% increase in the number of check-in counters (from 21 to 28)
• 60% increase in the number of security lanes (from 5 to 8)
• Installation of modern baggage handling system
• 50% increase in the number of departure gates (from 8 to 12)
• Refurbishment and upgrade of the fire station
• Construction of new access control guardhouse in the aircraft area
• Refurbishment of the airside pavement
• Expansion by 10,350 m2 and reconfiguration of the apron

Kefalonia Anna Pollatou Airport

A new terminal offers ca 10,700 square meter of space for passenger comfort, including more services, a 70% increase in the number of check-in counters, and twice as many security checkpoints and departure gates.

The works in detail (completed 2019):

• Completion of works: 2019
• Construction of 10,700 m2 new terminal
• 70% increase in the number of check-in counters (from 7 to 12)
• Doubling of the number of security lanes (from 2 to 4)
• Installation of modern baggage handling system
• Doubling of the number of departure gates (from 3 to 6)
• Construction of new wastewater treatment plant
• Construction of new fire station and new access control guardhouse in the aircraft area
• Refurbishment of the air traffic control tower
• Refurbishment of the airside pavement
• Reconfiguration of the aircraft parking area

Kos Hippocrates Airport

A new passenger terminal was built, boasting more than 23,000 square meters of space and a new apron area.

The works in detail (completed 2021):

• Construction of new terminal 24,000 m2
• Construction of new fire station
• Refurbishment and expansion of the sewage system
• 75% increase in the number of check-in counters (from 16 to 28)
• 125% increase in the number of security lanes (from 4 to 9)
• Full refurbishment of the runway
• Expansion and refurbishment of the aircraft parking area
• Construction of new guard house
• Installation of modern baggage handling system
• Redevelopment of existing forecourt and parking

Mykonos Airport

The terminal was redesigned and expanded by 50%, creating more space for check-in counters, departure gates, as well as a unique ambiance with attractive amenities. The terminal combines traditional Cycladic architectural highlights with modern airport facilities.

The works in detail (completed 2021):

• Expansion by 3,450 m2 and refurbishment of the existing terminal
• Construction of new fire station
• Reconfiguration of the aircraft parking area
• 33% increase in the number of check-in counters (from 12 to 16)
• 20% increase of departure gates
• 25% increase of security lanes
• Installation of modern baggage handling system
• Full refurbishment of the runway
• Construction of new guard house
• Redevelopment of existing forecourt and parking

Mytilene Odysseas Elytis Airport

A new terminal was built, with over 7,100 square meters of space.

The works in detail (completed 2020):

• Construction of a new terminal with an area of 7,185 m2
• Construction of a new fire station
• Construction of a new wastewater treatment plant
• Construction of a new aircraft parking area & reconfiguration of the existing one
• 30% increase in the number of check-in counters (from 7 to 9)
• Construction of new guard house
• Installation of modern baggage handling system
• Construction of new curbside and parking area

Rhodes Diagoras Airport

The airport has been upgraded to offer world-class services. The terminal has a larger check-in area, plus more security checkpoints and baggage belts, and a wider choice of shopping and dining. The apron in front of the terminal was also redesigned for improved operations.

The works in detail (completed 2020):

• Refurbishment and remodeling of the existing terminal
• Reconstruction and reconfiguration of the aircraft parking area
• Construction of new fire station
• 15% increase in the number of check-in counters (from 40 to 45)
• 15% increase in the number of departure gates (from 16 to 18)
• 70% increase in the number of security lanes (from 7 to 12)
• 25% increase in the number of baggage reclaim belts
• Installation of modern baggage handling system
• Construction of new guard house
• Redevelopment of existing forecourt and parking

Samos Aristarchos Airport

The terminal was modernized and expanded by over 1,500 square meters, with plenty of room for more check-in counters, departure gates, security checkpoints, and other services.

The works in detail (completed 2019):

• Expansion by 1,550 m2 and refurbishment of the existing terminal
• Construction of a new fire station
• Reconfiguration of the aircraft parking area
• 40% increase in the number of check-in counters (from 10 to 14)
• 25% increase in the number of departure gates
• 50% increase in the number of security lanes
• Installation of a new baggage handling system
• Construction of a new guard house

Santorini Airport

The terminal underwent a major redevelopment resulting in a far larger facility with a total floor area well over 15,000 square meters of space for an improved passenger experience.

The works in detail (completed 2021):

• Expansion by 12,900 m2 and refurbishment of the existing terminal
• Construction of a new fire station
• Reconfiguration of the aircraft parking area
• 115% increase in the number of check-in counters (from 8 to 17)
• Doubling of the number of baggage reclaim belts
• 20% increase in the number of departure gates
• 250% increase in the number of security-check lanes (from 2 to 7)
• Installation of a modern baggage handling system
• Construction of a new guard house
• Redevelopment of the existing forecourt and parking

Skiathos Alexandros Papadiamantis Airport

The terminal has been completely refurbished and expanded by nearly 2,200 square meters.

The works in detail (completed 2019):

• Expansion by 2,185 m2 and refurbishment of the existing terminal
• Reconfiguration of the aircraft parking area
• Construction of a new fire station
• 10% increase in the number of check-in counters
• 70% increase in the number of departure gates (from 3 to 5)
• Doubling of the number of baggage reclaim belts
• Installation of modern baggage handling system
• Construction of a new guard house
• Redevelopment of the existing forecourt and parking

Zakynthos Dionysios Solomos Airport

The terminal was refurbished and remodeled making it possible to increase the number of check-in counters and security checkpoints by 35% and 150%, respectively.

Source: Fraport