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German Fraport Takes Over Operations of 14 Regional Airports in Greece
Posted On 18 Aug 2015
Rhodes International Airport – Diagoras/ Photo © Piotrus – Wikimedia Commons
The concession of 14 Greek regional airports to German transport company Fraport for 1.23 billion euros has been finalized.
According to a decision published in the Government Gazette on Monday, the contract will be based on the conditions of the original tender that was granted to the Frankfurt-based company.
In November 2014, Fraport was declared preferred investor for the lease and management of 14 regional airports jointly with Greek energy giant Copelouzos. The deal was initially set to close last October but came to a halt with the change of government in January, when authorities said they wanted to re-examine the terms.
The 14 regional airports are those in Thessaloniki, Corfu, Chania, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Aktion, Kavala, Rhodes, Kos, Samos, Mytilini, Mykonos, Santorini and Skiathos.
The privatization of the Greek regional airports was included in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) the government agreed with its international lenders in order to obtain a new three-year bailout program worth some 86 billion euros.
This is the first privatization implemented by the government since it took power in January.
Good access is good for business. At the NGO “European Network for Accessible Tourism” (ENAT) we will be delighted if the Fraport group prioritises substantial improvements to the general accessibility of airport infrastructure and also customer service training for passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs), making – and indeed all customers. Greece’s regional airports need to keep their regional flavour but operate to international standards to play their part in the Greek recovery. ENAT will be pleased to collaborate in this effort. @EUaccesstourism
We have been running a ‘peoples campaign’ for 18 months to push our local authorities to develop international year round flights to our local region airport Volos – Nea Anchialos. VOL It is one of the most modern regional airports in Greece and can handle year round flights. Situated on the national road almost halfway between Athens and Thessaloniki, it is the gateway to Thessalia, Meteora, Lamia, Volos, Larisa, Pelion, Olympus and by ferry transfer to Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonyssos and North Evia. Our research shows there is huge interest for year round tourism, business and student and family travel to London and main European destinations. We hope the privatization of the 14 regional airports will help focus attention of the Greek government in developing Volos’ potential. http://www.facebook.com/flytovolos