Greece’s Council of State Rejects Motions Against Fraport Privatisation Deal

Skiathos Airport. Photo source: airphotos.gr

Greece’s Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court, recently dismissed six motions that were against the concession agreement for the transfer of the management of 14 Greek regional airports to a consortium led by German transport company Fraport.

Two of the motions were filed by the federation representing civil aviation authority personnel (OSYPA) and the remaining four by the Municipality of Chania, the Municipality of Corfu and the Ionian Islands Region.

According to reports, the Council of State’s decision is considered to be the last obstacle to implementing the deal between the Greek government and Fraport.

Following the decision, trade unions warned that they would appeal to the European Commission as they believe that the agreement violates the public interest and European competition rules.

The 14 Greek regional airports are expected to come under Fraport’s management by the end of January 2017.

Frankfurt-based Fraport Group inked a 40-year contract in December last year to manage with its Greek partner energy firm Copelouzos the airports at 14 regions across Greece that include three mainland gateways (Thessaloniki, Aktion, and Kavala) and 11 airports on Greek islands (Chania on Crete, Kefalonia, Kos, Mykonos, Lesvos, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini, Skiathos and Zakynthos).

The Frankfurt-based transport company expects to invest over 400 million euros by 2021 for the upgrading and expansion of the facilities in the 14 airports.