Ioannina Authorities Urge PM to Step in, Get Airport Up & Running

King Pyrros Airport, Ioannina. Photo: hebels.nl

Local authorities in the northwestern Greek city of Ioannina are calling on Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to step in and ensure the local airport is up and running with consistent flights.

The capital of Epirus, Ioannina has steadily seen tourism to the region grow, with foreign tour operators expressing their wish to include direct flights to Ioannina National Airport (King Pyrros) under the condition that flights are not cancelled.

The letter, signed by the Epirus prefect, Ioannina mayor as well as counterparts from Tzoumerka, Dodoni, Zagori Zitsa, Konitsa, Metsovo and Pogoni, Ioannina University dean, chamber presidents and the head of the Ioannina Hoteliers Association, is urging the prime minister to ensure that the installation of a necessary approach and landing system (GBAS) is scheduled in due time.

“Investing in tourism growth and for the first time in a coordinated manner under a single strategic plan, all stakeholders consider it crucial to upgrade the Ioannina airport so that it can become modern and reliable, and can serve the needs of our region, especially for the promotion of its tourism product,” the letter reads.

Ioannina authorities and professionals are further stressing that though the government has gone ahead with the upgrade of infrastructure at the city’s airport, the problem of reliability remains.

“The biggest problem is not the airport facilities, but the lack of reliability with regards to flight planning and canceled flights due to weather conditions.”