ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
GR 190 19 Spata, Tel.: +30210 35 30 000, Fax: +30210 35 32 284,
e-mail: info@aia.gr, Web Address: www.aia.gr

As extracted from the airport's website - my apologies if these were supposed to be posted or ahve actually been posted elsewhere. :)


" Airport's total land area: 17.5 km2
" 2 independent parallel runways of approx. 4 km each
" Main Terminal & Satellite Buildings spread over an area of 180,000 m2
" 89 aircraft parking stands
" 24 passenger boarding bridges
" 48 gates
" 144 check-in counters
" 11 luggage-claim conveyor belts (hourly capacity 7,000 items)
" Commercial area: 7,000 m2

Capacity (during the first phase of operation)

" Up to 16 million passengers and 220,000 tons of cargo per annum
" 600 aircraft movements a day
" 65 landings-takeoffs an hour

Expansion potential at the final stage of development: up to 50 million passengers

Distinctions

AETRA (IATA/ACI) Award for "Overall Passenger Satisfaction" in 2004

According to the latest AETRA survey for Overall Passenger Satisfaction for the year 2004, Athens International Airport ranked 2nd in Europe & 2nd in the world in its category - 5-15 million pax p.a.

GreenLight Award (November 2004)

Athens International Airport the first Hellenic company to receive the European Commission's GreenLight Award for the implementation of a series of preventive maintenance activities and energy efficient measures in lighting, thus reducing emissions related to the greenhouse effect.

AETRA (IATA/ACI) Award for "Overall Passenger Satisfaction" in 2003 (October 2004)

In the competitive airport size category from 5 to 15 million passengers per annum, "Eleftherios Venizelos" holds the 1st ranking position in Europe in "Overall Passenger Satisfaction", for the second consecutive year, and the 2nd in the world, for the year 2003.

E.F.Q.M. "Committed to Excellence" Award (June 2004)

AIA's Corporate Services Division has been awarded with the "Committed to Excellence" distinction from the European Foundation Quality Management (EFQM), acknowledging the level of its business and the quality of human resources services issues.

2003 IATA Eagle Award (June 2003)

In recognition of its contribution to the aviation industry and its support towards airlines, Athens International Airport has been honoured with the 2003 Eagle Award of the International Air Transport Association.

E.F.Q.M. "Recognised for Excellence" Award (April 2003)

Athens International Airport has been honoured with the "Recognised for Excellence" Award of the European Foundation for Quality Management (E.F.Q.M.), acknowledging the level of business excellence and the quality of services of the Airport's Information Technology & Telecommunications Department.

European Airport of the Year 2004" Award (December 2003)

Athens International Airport was honoured with the title of "European Airport of the Year 2004", within the framework of the annual Institute of Transport Management (ITM) Awards, for its innovative entrepreneurial scheme and the airport's successful operation and achievements.


Now, if you have some nice pics, post them. :D

Edit: Sunday 2 October 2005

The following photos are provided to offer a generic view of the airport and its vicinity. They are minimised so as to fit the size of the rest of the post. However, in order to see the full size, as well as additional info about the photos ad you can go to the update which is at the bottom of the page (56Kers beware, LOTS of pics to be uploaded!!! ) or simply click here (http://skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=5604152&postcount=18).

Again, these are small-sized pics:

Athens International Airport Aerial 1, very early but spectacular photo

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/39909/479429/0/Athens+Airport+Aerial+1-smaller.jpg


Athens International Airport Aerial 2, early photo too, now all the road works around the airport are completed.

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/39909/479431/0/Athens+Airport+Aerial+2-smaller.jpg


Athens International Airport generic picture probably taken from an approaching aircraft:

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/39909/479433/0/Athens+Airport+view+smaller.jpg

Now, if you have some nice pics, post them. :D



Older photos, end of construction

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/now/2.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/now/3.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/end/4.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/end/6.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/end/5.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/end/7.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/end/8.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/end/9.jpg


Open for business


http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/today4.jpg
http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/outside_depart/2.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/outside_depart/1.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/3.jpg


Departures

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/departures/7.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/departures/4.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/departures/5.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/departures/8.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/departures/9.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/1s.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/12.jpg


Gate

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/gate/143_4331.jpg


Meseum

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/museum/1.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/museum/2.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/museum/3.jpg


Media Centre

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/media_centre/11.jpg - http://www.aia.gr/images/media1_big.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/images/media2_big.jpg


Shopping centre

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/shopping_centre/12.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/shopping_centre/8.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/shopping_centre/7.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/shopping_centre/14.jpg


Train Station

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/train_station/1.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/train_station/2.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/train_station/5.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/train_station/3.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/train_station/4.jpg


Underground Link

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/underground_link/1.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/underground_link/2.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/underground_link/3.jpg


Childrens Centre

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/childrens/1.jpg


Have a nice flight :)

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/127_0084.jpg

Some photos duriing the Olympics


http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/2.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/4.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/6.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/8.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/7.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/10.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/11.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/12.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/13.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/14.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/15.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/30.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/19.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/24.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/olympic_games/25.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/x-mas04/6.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/x-mas04/18.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/x-mas04/8.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/x-mas04/20.jpg

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/x-mas04/16.jpg

Wow christos ! This is by far THE BEST collection of photos of the airport I have ever seen ! And especially the Olympic ones, brought back so MANY fond memories !

I happened to be there on Aug the 12th, 2004, one day before the OC, and you sure have captured the spirit of those days !

PS - san oneiro mou fainetai tora ...H organosi, to kefi, i ormi gia to leap forward. Kai meta mia apo ta idia !

PS - san oneiro mou fainetai tora ...H organosi, to kefi, i ormi gia to leap forward. Kai meta mia apo ta idia !

E...ti na kanoume? I Eladitsa mas einai kai tina agapame. :cheers:

Τι κανατε βρε άρρωστοι :eek: Πολύ καλή συλλογή

I can't believe this. Guys, wait for my contribution tomorrow. I mean, Jeez...

Τι κανατε βρε άρρωστοι :eek: Πολύ καλή συλλογή

I can't believe this. Guys, wait for my contribution tomorrow. I mean, Jeez...

:hahaha: :hahaha:

Re si! Then mas eipes na valoume fotografies mas?

Great job Christo!!!

Gm perimenoume!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

OK, Parte naxete arrostoi!!!

Athens Airport Sofitel Hotel

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/29410/391775/0/Athens+Airport+Sofitel+Hotel.JPG


Athens Airport control Tower (70m)

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/29410/391776/0/Athens+Airport+-+Control+Tower.jpg




Athens airport suburban train station



http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22632/24691/295854/0/Athens+Airport+-+Train+Station+2.JPG

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22632/24691/295856/0/Athens+Airport+-+Footbridge+1.JPG

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22632/24691/295851/0/Athens+Airport+-+Train+Station+5+-+Suburban+Train+Quays.JPG

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22632/24691/295850/0/Athens+Airport+-+Train+Station+4+-+Suburban+Train.JPG

Attica Road as seen from the rail station cafe

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22632/24691/295908/0/Athens+Airport+-+Train+Station+-+Detail.JPG


To the train quays...

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22632/24691/295855/0/Athens+Airport+-+Train+Station+3+-+Stairs.JPG


And if you are good tonight, I will post a couple more jewels tomorrow.... :)

Ok Good Job to both of you!

Here are a couple I took this summer with my Panasonic Digital Camera:

On my way to Zakynthos:

http://static.flickr.com/23/30450233_36fa42e7f7_o.jpg


http://static.flickr.com/21/30450232_634b87fe5d_o.jpg


http://static.flickr.com/23/30449840_a7276d68a1_o.jpg

Ok, here are some more just prior to full completeion (i.e. landscaping):

http://www.ert.gr/aerialphoto/photos/big/001_el.venizelos.jpg


http://www.ert.gr/aerialphoto/photos/big/002.jpg


http://www.ert.gr/aerialphoto/photos/big/003.jpg


http://www.ert.gr/aerialphoto/photos/big/176.jpg


http://www.ert.gr/aerialphoto/photos/big/179.jpg


http://www.ert.gr/aerialphoto/photos/big/189.jpg



And how about these for some old nostalgia? I present to you, the old Airport of Athens, Elliniko:

http://www.ert.gr/aerialphoto/photos/big_new/airport/airport52.jpg

http://www.ert.gr/aerialphoto/photos/big_new/airport/airport51.jpg


http://www.ert.gr/aerialphoto/photos/big_new/airport/airport49.jpg


http://www.ert.gr/aerialphoto/photos/big/090_anatolikos.jpg


I can't believe this tiny airport handled millions of tourists each year!!! :runaway:

Great photos everybody!

@ Old Hellinikon airport: :lol: :lol: :lol:

It looked like some third world small town airport. Thank god for the Olympics or we would probably still be usingthat one. :runaway:

A oste etsi loipon paidia, blepo pos exoyme agona fotografion, gia na doyme ean mporeite na kseperasete aytes edo. m))

Take a look at this winter version of the airport. Yeah I know, it's just like me to promote winter Greece heheheh

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/9986/eley13ag.jpg

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/6797/eley27us.jpg

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/9160/eley36kq.jpg

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/8564/eley41se.jpg

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/2449/eley58rb.jpg

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/6883/eley66oq.jpg

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/7261/eley76yf.jpg

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/12/eley85vn.jpg

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/9218/eley96vy.jpg

I hope to see the next expansion of Athens airport since we are reaching the 16 million capacity limit, at least to something like 20 or 25 millions.

Also I can't believe, now that I see it from high above, a city with a population of 5 millions like Athens could have an airport as tiny as Hellinikon, anyways it looked bigger from inside than from the skies. Anyway I had my good times there. Also should be reminded that the eastern terminal was designed by Eero Saarinen the Finish-American architect who also designed the JFK TWA terminal among other famous buildings.

Finally this pictures are from www.airlines.gr

Bravo Grigoris!!! Those were awesome! There is more snow in those pics than our winters here in Toronto!!! The mountain snow-capped in the background is simply amazing!!! Athens never ceases to amaze me! I love it!

Now those are some fantastic airport views.

Loverboyz, it's Saturday morning, I will be out to do some shopping and I will present you with a couple of more jewels.

BTW, the pictures of the airport covered in snow, as well as the ones from leafs are as the French would say "très Spectaculaire". A bientôt alors!!! (Catch you leter that is!!!)

Ah, and something more, God Bless ADSL and broadband connections!!!

Modern and functional,really beautiful!!

Aerial pics of the Athens Airport (and more) occasionally posted in this forum in previous times. These are larger versions of the pictures appearing in the beginning of this thread, after the edit I did in the opening post :):):)


Et bien voila:

1. Aerial 1: Picture originally appeared in the original website of the Attica Road (http://www.attikiodos.gr/homepageattiki.asp?catid=4466&mediaid=59&rootcatid=4496&defaultcatid=4496), the Athens Ring Road, immediately after the airport opened for business. A nice pic, although much has been added to the airport and its vicinity since then.

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/39909/479430/0/Athens+Airport+Aerial+1.jpg


2. Aerial 2

This picture also depicts the airport at an early stage of its operation. I don't know, the may have more recent ones in airliners.net now.


http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/39909/479432/0/Athens+Airport+Aerial+2.jpg


3. Aerial 3. This one is the background of the site for the download update patch for the airport (click here ----> http://www.avsim.com/greece/scenery ) as provided by the Hellenic vACC (http://avsim.com/greece/hvacc/entrance.htm). Pic probably taken from an approaching aircraft :)


http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/39909/479434/0/Athens+Airport+view.jpg

Hold on a sec...

Theeeere you have it!!!

Athens AIRPORT FROM Google Earth
(try this one, it's un-be-friggin-lievable)


http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22634/39909/480018/0/Google+Earth+Athens+Airport++small.jpg

NEW!!!: As posted by Geroplatanos in the Hellenic Airports Thread (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=177147&page=2).

ATHENS AIRPORT RECEIVES NEW INTERNATIONAL DISTINCTION

(ANSAmed) - ATHENS, OCTOBER 6 - The Athens 'Eleftherios Venizelos' airport has added yet another distinction to its considerable collection, proving once again the high standard of services it provides and which rank it among the best airports in the world, Greek news agency ANA reports. During the 11th International Airlines Development Conference 'Routes', which is the biggest international annual conference of airports and airline companies, held in Copenhagen this year, Athens airport was proclaimed the best airport in the world in its category (10-25 million passengers) and was honoured by the international airline community for the support programme to airline companies and the airport's contribution to the development of new routes. The conference was attended by 1,700 representatives of 600 airports and 300 airline companies from all over the world who gave first place in the world to Athens international airport with their votes.(ANSAmed). MRR
__________________

Great photos everybody!

@ Old Hellinikon airport: :lol: :lol: :lol:

It looked like some third world small town airport. Thank god for the Olympics or we would probably still be usingthat one. :runaway:

You mean, thank the greeks for the olympics :)

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/8853/athinaaerolimani8si.jpg

I count 14 boarding bridges though..Nevermind, nice picture from google earth...

Kuvvaci thats true the google earth photos are amazing! (especially those that support high resolution).
Regarding the passenger bridges there are also 10 more but on the satellite terminal building which is connected with the main terminal through an underground passage
:)
PS: check down and left from the photo you posted and you will see it!

Actually there is a satellite building conected to the main terminal with an underground passage

View of the underground passage:

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/photo_gallery/images/airport_today/underground_link/3.jpg

And here it is the small terminal... :)

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Infrastructures/Athensairport-fromGoogle-Satellitet.jpg

:okay: thankssssss

Nice. How far is it from the city centre?

30 kms

So whats the other stages of development? New Terminals? Are they underway?

Nice. How far is it from the city centre?


Like GS said it is about 30 km. (maybe 27)


It is is connected by the Suburban Rail/Metro (line 3). Takes about 30 min from city centre.

http://athens2004.com/Images/Transport/Raillway_en.gif - http://athens2004.com/Images/Transport/Metro_en.gif

may I ask anything? why doesn't line 3 go to the airport directly. It goes Northeast first and then the south. And we have to change the train.

Geia xara Kuvvaci! :)
The connection is direct you dont have to change any train , either you take the METRO which takes you directly to centre (Syntagma or Monastiraki) or either you take the suburban railway (PROASTIAKOS) which takes you to Athens central railway station.

I mean there is not such a line...

Line 4 (the blue Line)
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/316/adsz11bv.png

To do this they will have to cur through the mount Hymettus... They will do itb as an extension of the Attica Road but not for a rail connection...

Although... now that you've mentioned it, you never know... I mean, can you imagine a line going straight through there to the port of Lavrion...

Ahhh Kuvvaci keep giving me ideas. I may end up a minister of Public works one day... :lol:

And Athens will NEVER be the same after that date... :D

I would vote you Grigori my friend, take it for granted.......and now that I think it twice....what are you waiting for????? :)

And please if that's the case don't forget to fulfill your plans. I want to see that La Defense Athens version in Maroussi.

BTW best wishes for a happy new year.

Thanks synonomate, nasai kala kai esy kai oi ypoloipoi symmetexontes edo pera...


As at now, I am watching the news on the property values in Greece (antikeimenikes axies). Big issue my friends...

Like GS said it is about 30 km. (maybe 27)


It is is connected by the Suburban Rail/Metro (line 3). Takes about 30 min from city centre.

http://athens2004.com/Images/Transport/Raillway_en.gif - http://athens2004.com/Images/Transport/Metro_en.gif

Thanks.

LGAV Scenery for Flight Simulator:

http://www.avsim.com/greece/scenery/fs2004/fs9_LGAV/lgav1_9.jpg
http://www.avsim.com/greece/scenery/fs2004/fs9_LGAV/lgav2.jpg
http://www.avsim.com/greece/scenery/fs2004/fs9_LGAV/lgav4.jpg

Made by the Hellas Scenery Team at AVSIM
http://www.avsim.com/greece/scenery/

LGAV Scenery for Flight Simulator:

http://www.avsim.com/greece/scenery/fs2004/fs9_LGAV/lgav1_9.jpg
http://www.avsim.com/greece/scenery/fs2004/fs9_LGAV/lgav2.jpg
http://www.avsim.com/greece/scenery/fs2004/fs9_LGAV/lgav4.jpg

Made by the Hellas Scenery Team at AVSIM
http://www.avsim.com/greece/scenery/

So they finally issued the scenery? COOOOOL. I hope somebody will also add the Olympic complex too. Right now with regards to SSim scenery, there is only a version of the Olyumpic stadium prior to the renovation, it's out of scale and it is on the location of the Panathenaic stadium in central Athens... Shame!!!!

The Scenery has been around for ages. But only now it is almost done. I too want an olympic stadium renovated. I worked with someone to make a Stadium on Gmax, If i can get the model and hopefully convert it to a fs scenery object, it will be easy.

They should add photoreal terrain textures, and thus would be better.

That would make the scenery a total frame rate hog. They would like to make the game playable with the scenery also! hehe. Ill take some screenshots soon.

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/0/3/0/0505030.jpg

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/6/9/3/0453396.jpg

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/5/9/3/0453395.jpg

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/3/7/6/0337673.jpg

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/3/5/8/0392853.jpg

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/8/1/1/0273118.jpg

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/6/8/7/0173786.jpg

AYE AYE AYE!!!

Jesus, Mary and Joseph!!! Incredible photos!!! Thanks Kuvvaci, these are all jewels.

Remarks:

The nightshots have a Las Vegas touch - lights in the middle of an empty terrain :lol:

Also, by looking at the emptiness of the airport grounds in these pictures I can really see the potential for future expansion. They say that the airport's current capacity is around 16 million and last year, if I am correct, we had some 14million passenger movements so, chances are they are speculating phase II. I know for sure that a commercial cenre will be developed on top of the existing retail park in the south of the airport where you have the HUGE Dixons-Kotsovolos electronics, the IKEA centre and there is a giant "Factory outlet" under construction owned by the greek low-price mass clothes retailer with the name name.

Still, lots of developments are expected there...

Nevertheless, unbelievable pics, thanks for posting... :):):)

PS. At the final phase (phase 6) the airport will have the capacity to serve 50 million passengers a year if it has to...

Oh well...

Thanks Kuvacci :okay:

Last summer I spend one week Holiday in Athens.

I found this city beautiful and very interesting. I traveled also in Egina. We have token sunbath on the island. I was falling in love with this Greek "Dolce Vita"!!!!

But honestly Athen's Airport sucks! I was very disapointed by the facilities, the passengers area, and all the available services in the Airport.:(

If I had only one thing to forget about Greece, it should be the aiport of Athens.

Nevertheless it was one of the beautiful holidays I had until now! ;)

Wow the first picture must cover around 8,000 sq kms area!!!!!! and if I'm not wrong it has to be taken from some 12,000 meter high (40,000 feet)!! From a completelly airborne plane just flying over Athens area (that means Athens not being neither the origin port nor the destination)

Unbelievable!

As for the phase II currently for international standards Athens is a busy airport making use of 89% of its capacity and if the increasing trend follows the same scheme by 2008 it will collapse having surpassed it maximum capacity. So a phase II bringing E. Benizelos to some 25 millions capacity in order to make it really comfortable and in addition to the ministry of tourism expectations of upcoming 50% increase of the annual visitors to Greece within the next years, is imminent.

Priority should now be given to the country's other airports like the new Iraklio and Ioannina airports alongside the revamping of Thessaloniki's before more money should go to Athens.

It's approaching near capacity because the nations other airports are not being utilized to what they should be.

Brussels-east: I am surprised you say that, because this airport may not be the best in terms of design, however, it is well known for its efficiency in operations. However, I believe that it would be useful to the airport's customer secrvice department to know what you are saying as you are the customer and you know better...

As for Egina, it is a beautiful island in the Saronic Gulf but the best is Hydra. Whay Egina has though, is the ancient temple of Afaia which is amongst the top 5 in ghe country.

And yes, you are always welcome back mon ami, the fun and the heat is always up year-round in this country!!!

Now about what Prometheus said, true, a number of five airports in Greece may be in need of upgrading works soon. Besides Thessaloniki where the works are expected to begin soon according to the latest news, Ioannina, Heraklion and the construction/ opening of one new airport in Central/ continental Greece somewhere in Thessaly and another in the Patras area seem to be the new priorities.

The Thessaly and Patras ones are said to be opened in the existing military airports og Nea Aghialos and Araxos. Now, these may be for the low-cost airlines as both destinations are close to major ports (Volos, Patras) and will allow the decongestion of Pireaus and Rafina ports in Athens greater area.

Brussels-east: I am surprised you say that, because this airport may not be the best in terms of design, however, it is well known for its efficiency in operations. However, I believe that it would be useful to the airport's customer secrvice department to know what you are saying as you are the customer and you know better...

Acutally, I do not agree with Brussel-east. I had no problem even during the Olympics at this airport. But, although it is modern and very functional, architecturally very poor, the design from 60's, this is the weak side of the airport. However, it is so wonderful for the expansion, in the future new terminals can be built very easily due to the neccessaries.

However, it is one of the few important airports of the East Europe.

As for Egina, it is a beautiful island in the Saronic Gulf but the best is Hydra. Whay Egina has though, is the ancient temple of Afaia which is amongst the top 5 in ghe country.

And yes, you are always welcome back mon ami, the fun and the heat is always up year-round in this country!!!.

Kamilera!

First, we thought to travel to Hydra, It was impossible to find a daily ferry from Athens to Hydra. We had to take the Flying Dolphins but it was very expensive for young travellers. :runaway: !!!

Finaly we decided to go to Egina! A lot of fun there !!! :)

An other specific point ... you have to pay attention everywhere, because shopkeepers will always try to dupe you!!! ;). For a traveller from North Europe it's very irritant. It's not realy usual for us.

But with any doubt if I had the opportunity to come back soon to Athens.. I'll sayd "GREAT NEWS DUDE!!".

...and, unfortunately, I haven't been to Belgium although a very good friend of mine and son of a diplomat was born in Bruges (Brugge) and was telling me about the "other side of beauty", i.e. the Medieaval Europe and its mystique.

Something like that, in fact...

http://www.trabel.com/brugge/images/brugge-rozenhoedkaai%202.jpg

As for Brussels, there is a thread in the skyscrapers and skylines section with a HUGE number of photos, including my beloved Atomium which has been recently renovated. As for the Brussels National Airport, here is a pic for your enjoyment. As our fellow mediterranean freinds can see, the colours are typical Northern European with the omni-present and abounding greenery being the major characteristic... :)

Enjoy...

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/8/3/1/0253138.jpg

I find that while the design of the Athens international airport is not ground breaking it still looks nice. And it is also a 100% improvement to the previous ones. It has a clean and sterile look to it and I think it is just fine as far as airports go. If and when they decide to expand or upgrade maybe they will do a little revamping. What I would like to see more is a better use of natural lighting in some areas of the airport. But I still think the airport looks okay!

Μια πολλή ωραία αεροφωτογραφία του αεροδρομίου ( Φεβρουάριος 2006 )

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/596/917955949965952941961953959962.jpg

^^Fantastic photo!!!

Ένα snapshot που πρόλαβα και έβγαλα κατά την απογείωση από το Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/tkostya/lgavaerial.jpg

(Ναι, δεν είμαι επαγγελματίας φωτογράφος αν το προσέξατε :D :D )

Η φωτόγραφία είναι και αυτή από το Φεβρουάριο του 2006.

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/0/3/0/0505030.jpg


Wow...from this altitude Athens looks so tiny :D
As if u can travel from here to there in a sec.
Even "El. Venizelos" looks so close to my home...

BTW do you think we will ever see those monstrous A380 landing at the Athens airport?
I know Greece doesn't actually need them due to their huge capacity but even if we did ,a new terminal should be constructed especially for them.
Oh well... :|

Though it's huge actually as in this picture you can see a rectangle with sides of over 100 kms each, showing Attiki or metro Athens for foreigners.

Actually one of the largest towns in Europe not only in population but in size too.

One more thing, this plane is flying for sure above the 13,000 meters or 42,500 feet limit of the troposphere at the tropopause where stratosphere begins. A sheer WOW! for a commercial (in case it's a commercial of course)

Passenger Traffic 2006 (Year to date - Jan-Aug. 2006)

domestic 3,662,627 | 3,555,308 (2005) increase 3%
International 6,477,084 |6,240,733 (2005) increase 3.8%

Total 10,139,711 | 9,796,041 (2005) increase 3.5%


By the way the flight announcement board at Athens airport is quite "unstylish" and the same goes for the roof which reminds me what we call "skepes apo elenit".

http://static.flickr.com/38/78763684_ecb8e5158f_o.jpg

Here is the board from the brand new airport of Ankara (a very nice airport by the way)

http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/2163/ususamesenboga02aic4.jpg

Yep, it's not stylish but couldn't they replace it easily, lol.

Is the Athens International Airport owned by the state or the private sector?

The flight board in the Athens airport looks more modern to me. The flight board in ankara looks gaudish, ugly, and will look outdated in 5 years. I think the athens boad is far more stylish and more classic.

Is the Athens International Airport owned by the state or the private sector?

It's a split with the state owning majority I believe Asim.

Actually, the Athens board is great. It is pretty sleek. The straight lines make it modern and personally I dont like the Ankara board. Curves are way outdated, very 90s.

But you are correct with the roof, it is awful.

Btw, isnt it time for a new terminal in Athens? Surely by next year it will easily have reached capacity of 16 million.

oh and from memory, the Airport is split 55% Government 45% private.

:lol:

^ uhm...didn't get the funny part:sly:

By the way, the ultra-modern super-sleek highly-stylish sublimely-classic awe-inspiring cutting-edge state-of-the-art boards in Athens remind me of the 1970s boards in Turkish train stations

http://static.flickr.com/38/78763684_ecb8e5158f_o.jpg

Ankara's new airport is awesome.

And yes, the roof of the Athens airport is pathetic.

I really don't understand what the friggin deal is about.

There are digital displays and non-digital displays. Who is to say which one looks better?

Here is one of many found in Toronto's Pearson International Airport. It is similar to the one in Athens. Does this make Perason a crappy airport? Of course not. And I can also guarantee that Perason is ages ahead than any aiprort in Turkey.

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/9151/104017754db6824dc50bsn4.jpg

And I can also guarantee that Perason is ages ahead than any aiprort in Turkey.

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/9151/104017754db6824dc50bsn4.jpg

Obviously not in terms of looks.

editted

Looks awful.

Looks awful.

So does your reflection....

I especially loved that cute little digital clock on top, which completes the ultra-high-tech and classy atmosphere

http://static.flickr.com/38/78763684_ecb8e5158f_o.jpg

Guys, this is not about the Toronto or Ankara airports. I could care less.


Don't let Amisov ruin the topic please...


Hopefully a moderator will step in.

Look, I don't think anybody is saying that the Athens International Airport sucks, because it doesn't. But, the bottom line is that digital displays are now a standard, and a must, in any modern new airport. Furthermore, you can tell the budget was severely limited when you look at that roof...

As for Toronto's airport, sure it's nice, but Ankara's is a lot better. I'm not some sort of Turkish PR spokesman, I'm just being objective.

BTW, Athens Airport looks cool (sort of) - I'm only trying to piss you guys off because it's so much fun to tease the tempered Grekos. BTW, I appreciate the amount of effort in trying to mock Ankara's airport with ridiculous claims like "curves are so 1990s", etc.

I enjoyed reading them :D

Oh Spiros... You are so sweet... If only you would...!!!

Nope.... Still think the ankara board is gaudy and tacky, very ugly. Just like that stupid looking UFO thing on the China F1 track. It will date in 5 years.


I especially loved that cute little digital clock on top, which completes the ultra-high-tech and classy atmosphere

Yeah, because those little 3 dollar analog clocks on the ankara board are much more flashy.
http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/2163/ususamesenboga02aic4.jpg

The airport (three terminals) in Toronto destroys any pic you can post of airports in Turkey both aesthetically and architecturally. Trust me.I disagree, I very much liked the new Turkish airports in various cities. I have seen them in person.

edit

Nope.... Still think the ankara board is gaudy and tacky, very ugly. Just like that stupid looking UFO thing on the China F1 track. It will date in 5 years.




Yeah, because those little 3 dollar analog clocks on the ankara board are much more flashy.
http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/2163/ususamesenboga02aic4.jpg

Me too! I dont see what the big deal is with this display! And this topic is about Athens International Airport, why has the discussion turned into a Turkish airports discussion?

I appreciate the amount of effort in trying to mock Ankara's airport with ridiculous claims like "curves are so 1990s", etc.


Please...its generally known interms of designs that Curves are very tacky and 90s.

These days people use sleek and sharp edges...maybe you should learn about industrial design or even Architecture.

Long time no see Asim... same with me, looks like our daily activities have devoured us for some time...


I liked Ankara airport, it has an far-eastern style, remids me of Seoul's Kimbo International Airport, which was completed at the same time with Athens international airport. Nice design.

As for Athens airport, the interest now is on the development of the commercial zones. Next to the termilans and the rail station complex (half a km that is...), we already have an huge IKEA store, coupled by a Dixons-Kotsovolos Electronics and appliances store. Completion of a third huge store is imminent with the new "Factory Outlet" discount centre which I expect it to be ready before Christmas, and plans have been announced for the development of yet another huge land plot to accomodate a shopping centre and stores/ multiplex cinema theatres complex.

So in essence, developments in Athens airport will continue along with plans for an extension which is delayed but I don't think it will take long to materialise as the airport belongs to the privatesector and in terms of financial results is doing excelent.

Also, much of the state's interest for development is now materialised with the extension of the second runway of the Thessaloniki airport, a somewhat controversial development according to many, since instead of the existing airport in the area of "Mikra" in eastern Thessoloniki, many would prefer another one to the west part of the city, claiming, among others, that the potential area of future development is small and that the extension of the runway into the sea (the Thermaic gulf) will constitute an ecological disaster. In any case, Greek airports see considerable developments too.

Developments and expansion of the airport are a must as it's approaching a collapse point expected for 2008 (16 millions passengers). Currently it's close to the 15 mlls. level.

If you watch carefully the airport opposite side, you'll realize it has been planned for further expansions and the area is clear for developments.

So expect by early 07 the first announcements regarding this subject.

Though they mention a 50mill. expansion I think that number will be achieved in a third phase, having this second phase reaching the 25m. level. (Don't forget it's expected visitors in Greece will double the current number within a decade, so 20-25m in some 6-7 years are a possibility).

I just hope this third concourse or terminal will have some architectural style a la Frankfurt or DeGaulle (without the falling roof of course). If you take a look at those airports you'll see they don't have an homogeneous style so the same would apply perfectly in Athens; thus we could avoid boxed buildings and get some more...inspired style.

I won't comment about the airports. But this thread shows the maturity level of some guys. Many of you react like primary school children. It's impossible to believe it.

I won't comment about the airports. But this thread shows the maturity level of some guys. Many of you react like primary school children. It's impossible to believe it.

What's the point of your post? Either come here and contribute something or do not post at all.Before you critisise something that's going on in the greek forum, consider a little bit the situation in your own turkish forum where an unofficial censorship condition seems to exist and posts or entire threads "disapear" from time to time.
I have seen how your compatriots jump all over anyone who dares to say the least about your country.
And I'm really sad that I have to write all these, as I really liked some of your posts/threads in here.But please do not lecture us on how we ran things in our forum.

Drop it guys.

And Leafs Could you please remove the Toronto Airport pics so that people dont come here assuming it is the Athens Airport (It will be fine to provide links) :) Cheers
:cheers:

What's the point of your post? Either come here and contribute something or do not post at all.Before you critisise something that's going on in the greek forum, consider a little bit the situation in your own turkish forum where an unofficial censorship condition seems to exist and posts or entire threads "disapear" from time to time.
I have seen how your compatriots jump all over anyone who dares to say the least about your country.
And I'm really sad that I have to write all these, as I really liked some of your posts/threads in here.But please do not lecture us on how we ran things in our forum.


didn't you understand the point of my post! You say "I have seen how your compatriots jump all over", I see too. Did I say "only some Greek forumers are childish"? No! Did I protect "my compatriot"? No! So, what!

Did any of " my compatriot" put the pix of both Ankara and Athens airports and compare? No!

What I point is; coming here and trying to have fun with some Greek forumers is childishness.

But , insisting that Athens airport is much more beautiful as architecture is childihsness too.

And also for this, fighting is childishness too...

You can say Athens public trasporation system is much better than Ankara and ten times better than Istanbul. I can correct!

You can say "if you gether all sport complexes of Turkey, you can't get Athens". I say "yes, this is the truth"

You can also say "restoration and renovation of downtown Athens is much better than Istanbul's". I say, this is the truth, once more!

But if you say Athens airport is more beautiful than Ankara's (or any other new airport of Turkey), I can't call it objectivity. I just call it, childish stubborn jealousy like primary school students, or "blind nationalism".

There is another options of course, it is what we call "the baby of the crow seems hawk to the crow".

I hope you could understand my point.

Now let's turn to the topic please...

^I fully agree with you.

... except one minor part, the Athens airport is better :lol:

...

...

Now, lets be serious here. I have travelled through many airports of this world and AIA is one of the best. And I mean in terms of simplicity and easiness, of usability if you like. You never get lost! After all it is a giant box.

But:
Let's be honest, the contribution of the airport to world or european or balkanian or greek or athenean architecture is ZERO.

Plain fact.

It is not ugly. It is sympathetic. But it is no way a miracle of architecture and comparable to some other (new) nice airports of the "region"

I have been to AIA too. I was late for my flight and I was sure that I missed the plane. I was so nervous and angry. But although there are many people on the check-in line (during the Olympics), check-in and other processes were so fast that, I could catch my plane and didn't wait so much. I wintess it personally.

Kuvvaci is right... Stop this stupid childish behavior some of you...

And yes Ataturk airport and new Ankara+Izmir terminals are much more interesting as architecture than any greek airport, including AIA.

Kuvvaci is right... Stop this stupid childish behavior some of you...

And yes Ataturk airport and new Ankara+Izmir terminals are much more interesting as architecture than any greek airport, including AIA.


That's the thing....nobody ever said AIA was nicer architecturally. Asssssimov gloated about the stupid departures/arrivals display in ankara, ridiculed the one in Athens and everything ecalated from there.

Anyway, back to the topic folks.

@Kuvvaci
I consider you a gentleman, and am surprised by your remarks. No one in here said athens´airport is better than ankrara´s!

I said (and i stress I), that the athens board looks far better and more sleek. I still stand by this, because in my eyes and most other industrial designers, its true. However, I have found a board better than both:

http://www.flytapvirtual.org/images/ssc_opo/6.jpg

Portugal´s International Airport (Porto) incorporating a modern sleek design with a digital display (though i dont like the clocks very much). Great!

*On further inspection, im not totally sure if it is digital. Idea still holds though :okay:

PS: How is stating my opinion on design childish?

AIA is definitely not one of the most appealing airports in the world...I've been to two airports in Japan, and neither are memorable (Tokyo and Osaka, well maybe I didn't spend enough time in Osaka airport to have a full picture). The good thing about AIA, and the same goes for all new transportation projects in Athens, is that it is so easy and straightforward to navigate the spaces: you have to be a real idiot to get lost...and that is a major advantage in any case...Athens airport could have incorporated more Greek elements in its design: personally, the only true Greek element is displayed in the huge Mythos beer ads. Apart from that, it's a clean, functional and purely European airport...I don't like the Ankara display at first sight, but maybe if I had been to Ankara and could associate it with the contemporary scene of the city, perhaps I would begin to appreciate it, as I don't think it's absolutely disastrous either...I'm not a "curves" fan, but perhaps if the display portrays a more general trend, it could be considered acceptable...
What I would LOVE to see in other airports is some of the ingenuity in the details the Japanese have vested in theirs...E.g., you've checked in, and you're spending your last few minutes shopping in duty-free...you have 3 or 4 bags of cosmetics, liquor and souvenirs that can not be accommodated in your carry-on luggage...you don't to spend a fortune on buying a new piece of hand luggage either...what more handy than a dispenser machine with cheap woven bags with wheels on the bottom (and the airport logo across the front, as a promotional souvenir)...I still use mine from Osaka, 11 years after my trip...then again, these dispensers may exist in other airports-has any of you seen them?

~Hellenic Imperial Airways~ (ΗΙΑ)

-----------------------------------------------------

Με έξι τζάμπο στα κενά που άφησε η Ολυμπιακή

Νέα εταιρεία με έδρα το «Ελ. Βενιζέλος» αρχίζει πτήσεις τον Ιανουάριο

ΚΩΣΤΑΣ ΝΤΕΛΕΖΟΣ

Μια καινούργια αεροπορική εταιρεία γεννιέται στην Ελλάδα με στόχο να καλύψει τα κενά που άφησε η Ολυμπιακή αποχωρώντας από διάφορες μεγάλες αγορές, αλλά και να ανοίξει νέους υπερατλαντικούς - διηπειρωτικούς προορισμούς με ιδιαίτερο τουριστικό ενδιαφέρον.

Η Hellenic Imperial Airways (ΗΙΑ) είναι η νέα εταιρεία, η οποία με έδρα την Αθήνα και το διεθνές αεροδρόμιο «Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος» ετοιμάζεται από τις αρχές του νέου χρόνου να ανοίξει τα φτερά της προς την Ασία, την Αυστραλία, την Κεντρική και Νότια Αμερική και την Ιαπωνία, με στόλο έξι ιδιόκτητων τζάμπο (Boeing 747-200)!

Ιδρυτής της είναι ο Ιορδανός επιχειρηματίας - πολιτικός μηχανικός κ. Ταλάλ Αμπουρεγιάλ, του οποίου η κατασκευαστική εταιρεία είναι από τις μεγαλύτερες στη Μέση Ανατολή και αναλαμβάνει την υλοποίηση μεγάλων έργων (αεροδρόμια, λιμάνια, οδικοί άξονες, αγωγοί πετρελαίου, κτίρια πανεπιστημίων κ.ά.) στην Ευρώπη (Γερμανία, Γαλλία κ.α.) και τις αραβικές χώρες.

Το ποσό της αρχικής επένδυσης για τη δημιουργία της ΗΙΑ ανέρχεται σε 150 εκατ. ευρώ. Όπως χαρακτηριστικά τονίζει στα «ΝΕΑ» ο αναπληρωτής πρόεδρος της εταιρείας, κ. Γιάννης Κορναράκης, «στόχος μας δεν είναι να ανταγωνιστούμε σε καμία περίπτωση την Ολυμπιακή Αεροπορία, αλλά να καλύψουμε τα κενά που άφησε η αποχώρησή της». Θεωρεί στρατηγικής σημασίας το άνοιγμα των γραμμών προς την Κίνα, την Ιαπωνία και την Ινδία, καθώς από τις χώρες αυτές προέρχεται μεγάλος αριθμός τουριστών που ταξιδεύουν προς την Ευρώπη.

ΕΛΛΗΝΕΣ ΤΟ 85% - 90% ΤΟΥ ΠΡΟΣΩΠΙΚΟΥ
458 θέσεις στο κάθε αεροπλάνο

Τα έξι τζάμπο η ΗΙΑ τα έχει αγοράσει από τη γερμανική αεροπορική εταιρεία Lufthansa και από την ιαπωνική εταιρεία ΑΝΑ. Καθένα από αυτά διαθέτει 458 θέσεις. Στην πρώτη θέση υπάρχουν 8 καθίσματα και θα παρέχονται υψηλού επιπέδου υπηρεσίες και ανέσεις. Στην bussines class υπάρχουν 30 καθίσματα, ενώ όλες οι υπόλοιπες θέσεις βρίσκονται στην οικονομική κατηγορία.

Τα χρώματα των αεροσκαφών και το σήμα της νέας εταιρείας θυμίζουν τη γερμανική Lufthansa, ενώ σε όλα τα αεροπλάνα θα δοθούν ελληνικά ονόματα (βασιλέων, πόλεων, νησιών). Το ιπτάμενο προσωπικό της νέας εταιρείας (πιλότοι, συγκυβερνήτες) όπως και οι τεχνικοί της, σύμφωνα με τον κ. Κορναράκη, κατά 85% - 90% προέρχονται από την Ολυμπιακή Αεροπορία και διαθέτουν αυξημένη εμπειρία. Σε πρώτη φάση στην ΗΙΑ θα απασχοληθούν περίπου 450 εργαζόμενοι, ενώ σταδιακά ο αριθμός αυτός θα αυξηθεί σε 650 - 700.

Στα άμεσα σχέδια της διοίκησης της ΗΙΑ είναι η εκτέλεση απευθείας δρομολογίων από την Αθήνα προς Αυστραλία (Σίδνεϊ και Μελβούρνη, μέσω Σιγκαπούρης), προς Ιαπωνία (Τόκιο), προς Κίνα (Πεκίνο - Σαγκάη), προς Πακιστάν (Καράτσι), προς Ινδία (Νέο Δελχί), προς Βραζιλία και προς Κούβα (Αβάνα).

ΤΑ ΝΕΑ , 02/12/2006

http://i2.flugzeugbilder.de/55/56/1163605199.jpg

Κείμενο:http://ta-nea.dolnet.gr/print_article.php?e=A&f=18706&m=N24&aa=2
Φωτογραφία:http://www.flugzeugbilder.de/search4.cgi?srch=Hellenic+Imperial+Airways&stype=airline&srng=2

Τώρα βέβαια τι λένε δεν θα ανταγωνιστούν την Ο.Α. Άπλά, τα κενά που θα αφήσει η αμαρτωλή Ο.Α. θα τα γεμίσουν άλλα προφανώς πιό υγιή σχήματα.

looking at the photos of the greek airport..reminds me how much i miss being in greece

Κουβα, Βραζιλια;!!!!!! Ακου εκει παραξενους προορισμους.

Καταρχας να πω οτι κατα τη ταπεινη μου αποψη προκειται για εντελως οικονομικη τρελα να σκεπτεται κανεις τετοιους προορισμους ως οικονομικα ωφελιμοι για μια ελληνικη εταιρια και κυριως οταν μιλαμε για μια νεοσυστατη εταιρια. Πχ για να πας Βραζιλια κανενα αεροπλανο εχει την τεχνικη αντοχη για να φτασει βραζιλια χωρις ενδιαμεση σταση πες καπου οπως...Μαδριτη, αρα η πλειοψηφια των επιβατων που ταξιδευουν απο Σαο Παουλο ας πουμε προς Ευρωπη θα κατεβουν στο Μπαραχας εκει θα αλλαξουν μαλλον επιβατες και Μαδριτη-Αθηνα θα αποτελει μια εντελως διαφορετικη πτηση με ενα αεροπλανο γεματο νεους επιβατες που μολις ανεβηκαν στη Μαδριτη με καμια σχεση με τους προηγουμενους απο τους οποιους δεν θα απομεινει ουτε ενας ή ενας εν πολλεις. Κακα τα ψεματα η αγορες της Βραζιλιας και της Ελλαδος εξαλλου απο μακρινες γεωγραφικα βρισκονται επισης και οικονομικα και πολιτιστικα χωρισμενες. Τι να σας πω τωρα, ωστε αυτη η καινουρια αεροπορικη εταιρια να μην...αποσυρει τα στρατευματα της αεροπλανων απο το...πεδιο μαχης αερο-εταιριων πιστευω πως πρεπει να αναθεωρησει καλυτερα τους προορισμους που θα εξυπηρετει και οσον αφορα τις μακρινες Νοτια και Κεντρικη Αμερικη εγω προσωπικα βρισκομαι αναφανδον κατα τις πτησεις προς εκεινες τις περιοχες του κοσμου.

Τωρα τι να πω για την Κουβα, φαινεται αστειο, μαλλον ο προεδρος της αερογραμμης αυτης εχει μια προσωπικη κλιση προς την παραδοσιακη Κουβα του τσε στη δεκαετια του 60 και τη δηθεν επανασταση του Καστρο.

Τωρα για πραγματιστικες, κοντινοτερες υπερατλαντικες και οικονομικως πλησιεστερες αγορες οπως η Β. Αμερικη που χρειαζεται μια αμεση καλυψη κενων σε πολεις οπως Σικαγκο, Βοστονη, Τοροντο, Βανκουβερ, Μαϊαμι, Ουασινγκτον, Σαν Φρανσισκο, Μοντρεαλ, Νεα Ορλεανη, Χιουστον και Λας Βεγκας. Δηλαδη αστικες περιοχες οι οποιες βρισκονται πιο κοντα αν και ακομα ειναι υπερατλαντικα (και καμια απο αυτες χρειαζεται ενδιαμεσες στασεις), εχουν μεγαλες κοινοτητες ομογενων (μιλαμε για περιπου 5 εκ) και γενικα κατοικους με υψηλοτερο επιπεδο ζωης και πολιτιστικα πιο ταυτοσημοι στον Ελληνικο πολιτισμο (συμφωνουμε βεβαια ολοι μας με το γεγονος οτι εκατομμυριοι Αμερικανοι και Καναδοι επιλεγουν την Ελλαδα ως θερινο και ακομα και χειμερινο προορισμο των διακοπων τους καθε χρονο) επομενως εχουμε μπροστα μας δυο πλουσιοτερες οικονομικα και φθηνοτερες οσον αφορα τις δαπανες ανεφοδιασμου καυσιμων αγορες, που βριθουν απο δυνητικους επιβατες. Α, και χωρις την αναγκη ενδιαμεσων στασεων που κανουν τις πτησεις ακριβοτερες λογω της τεχνικης χρησης των αεροδρομιων μεταξυ αλλων αιτιων.

Εν παση περιπτωση, αντε με το καλο και πολλες πτησεις να πετυχει.

Ο xristos-air ο οποίος ασχολείται με τα της πολιτικής αεροπορίας πιστεύω ότι θα μπορούσε να μας πει κάποια πράγματα παραπάνω για την εταιρεία.

A nice photo by jerry (http://www.airliners.gr/community/album_page.php?pic_id=9526)
(www.airliners.gr)

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1439/albumpicphphguhgg3.jpg

^^ You don't even see the airport or is IKEA the terminal at the same time? :d

The IKEA store is part of a big development for a shopping park at the side of the east runway of the Athens airport. For more informarion you can also refer to the Athens International Airport's website, especially in the page regarding property development of the various airport's estates available for commercial development. Click HERE (http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/b2b/real_estate/body.shtm)for more info...

Notably Up to this time the following stores operate, all of them around 10,000 sq metres+each, while construction of another mega-retail outlet centre is under construction close to the food and gas station close to the rail station and the Sofitel Hotel:

1. The IKEA store

2. Dixons - Kotsovolos Electronics

3. Factory Outlet - This is a big Discount shop in a shop centre and opened a couple of weeks ago, with a total retail area around 15,000m.

Recent pictures of the new Factory outlet (and my apologies for the bad quality due to the weather, but you hopfyully get the idea of the size:

-Front view - Panorama

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture%202/FactoryoutletPanoramaAthensairport-.jpg

-Entrance

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Skyscrapers%20and%20Modern%20Architecture%202/Factoryoutlet-Athensairport-Frontsm.jpg

A nice photo by jerry (http://www.airliners.gr/community/album_page.php?pic_id=9526)
(www.airliners.gr)

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1439/albumpicphphguhgg3.jpg

so the first thing you see when you land in Athens is IKEA ?? :ohno: :mad:

Not at all. The Ikea is a tiny part of the airport complex guys, be reasonable...

sosta de fenonte ta magazia entona...ala edo pou ta leme ehei ipothei arketes fores pos einai pou den einai aristourgima aisthitikis to aerodromio,idika apo psila, kanena glipto i telos pandon megalo ergo tehnis tha itan tragiko na ipirhe opos iparhei se tosa meri ston kosmo?

eytihos stin attiki odo iparhei ayti i periergi idrogeio(?) pou tora to vradi fotizete kai mauve.....pos to pathane kai xefige apo tous latreis teis "litotitas":) ?

The Swedes must feel right at home when they land in Athens lol

Wow...talk about blowing this image out of proportion.

The Swedes must feel right at home when they land in Athens lol

Homesick :lol:

In Eleftherios Venizelos the number of passengers looks like surpassed the 15 millions.

Despite currently official available figures in the net show the results up to November, according to estimates of a 10% rise by December in comparison of December 05', throw us a number of about 15,039,919. Though in the next few days the precise number will be given.

Exei kaneis sas egkyres plhrofories gia pithanh epektash tou "Eleftherios Venizelos"? Kataskeuh neou terminal ktp.... ???

Official numbers: 15,079,662 passengers in 2006

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/traffic_statistics/passengers/2006/body.shtm

Can't wait to here bout new developments...

Great news, the airport is approaching the saturation point of 16 millions (actually that would be bad if no developments are undertaken).

Anyway I believe that sometime within the 07' they'll start announcing the extensions of the airport with a third terminal pushing up the caps of the facility to somewhere 25 millions or so.

Otherwise, the news broadcasted sometime within 08' in matutine programs, where such issues are touched mainly, (inviting politicians, specialists and your counteropinologists next door) will be really disgusting showing the jammy situation of Athens airport.

Though, I'm optimistic and I'm pretty sure the first scenario will be the one we'll get.

Moved to Athens Photo thread

I don't believe that we may have a serious problem until 2010. Also, I would expect some of the traffic to be diverted to Thessaloniki when their expansions of the Makedonia airport are completed and the airport of the "Nymph of northern Greece" will be in a position to easily accomodate transatlantic and/ or other intercontinental flights.

However, a new extension may be under conbsideration already. What I would do if I was minister of Public works and I had money to spend, would be to make external additions to the existing installations also, i.e. an extended arched roof above the departures level and the loading/ unloading area (no need to be Calatrava again, I believe Tombazis or Anastasakis can easily do the job).

In addition, a second hotel and a HUGE 5-storey parking area may be considered although I am not sure whether the existing facilities have reached the limits of their capacity.

OK, the topic of this post has been arranged :)

Indeed, a multi-floor parking is needed, it looks endless now...!

Grigori, I agree in a 100% with the huge 5-storey parking building.

Though as for waiting until 2010, I think that by that time the airport will surpass by far its caps (actually it's a 16 millions airport) reaching to some 17 to 18 millions.

I think that one approach we should get to avoid situations as seen in other public transports in the past and complains from the public claiming that the Greek state waits for the catastrophe first and acts later, and such stuff we use to hear (of which I agree with many things); we should make as the Spaniards for instance that think with anticipation, as even when Barajas is a 50millions aipt. now with the new term it has its caps pushed up to the 70 millions level.

I guess a second third terminal in the opposite side would help in avoiding with anticipation such saturation conflicts (that's what the Germans or a British would do, why not us?).

If they start right away planning and designing the new building and maybe starting the works in early 08´ they could work easily without any rush and have it ready by early 2010. (This way we could avoid past situations when we rushed and worked as beasts in order to fulfill established deadlines and "or else" threats, just for procrastinating).

Geia sou synonomate!!!

You know that I would welcome a new expansion, hopefully with a more imaginative design than the existing one which, albeit functional, it has been described as lacking inspiration. Your timeplan seems to cover well the isue of expansion. If I remember correctly the plan for phase II would call for a target capacity of 25 million passengers.

True, this airport served us well during the 2004 Olympics BUT a 25 million capacity is reasonable, if we take into account that Athens is looking forward to becoming a metropolitan and financial centre in South-East Europe.

We see what we will see then.

Hi. New member here. Looking at the airport on Google Earth, it looks pretty obvious where they have planned to make new satellite terminals. Look at this picture of the terminal overview. I just don't know about the far right space, since it is not dark in color like the rest:

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/8722/athoverviewnn0.jpg

Here is a close look at the current satellite terminal. The space to the left looks identical to the space the terminal currently occupies:
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/2019/31336422lm4.jpg



My only concern with these satellite terminals is the time it takes to get to them from the main terminal/entrance. I have flown in to the satellite terminal, and transit does take long. According to the AIA site, it lists transit times from 20-30 minutes. :bash:

There is tunnels to the satellite terminal right?
I'm hoping that they wont build another satellite terminal...they arn't as exciting!

Well if you think that the Capacity of 16.000.000 is almost reached and that the AIA can be extendet up to 50.000.000...!!! Well they have to buil a new terminal to achieve that... they ca not build satellite terminals of 34.000.000!! But i think that you have marked the right places...

An information that got now: the Airport will be able to accommodate 50.000.000 in the 6th phase!... It would be very interesting to learn more about the 5 construction phases..!!

aren't they supposed to build the closed parking lot by 2009?

An information that got now: the Airport will be able to accommodate 50.000.000 in the 6th phase!... It would be very interesting to learn more about the 5 construction phases..!!

I was actually reading that on their website yesterday, and was going to email them to find out more. But then I thought that its prob. a typical Greek site that wont respond to me. :ohno:

And yes there are tunnels connecting to the satellite terminal. There is also little moving sections to move you along without walking. If they were smart from the get go, the would have pre-built (atleast dug out) the other tunnels for future use.

My guess is that satellite terminal's will be what will be constructed next to raise the capacity a little.

You know sometimes in the summer, air traffic to the airport is real bad. I remember one year (2003?) I flew in on Olympic from JFK, and we taxied around the ground for at least 15 minutes, and then finally parks at a remote stand at the airport and got off VIA stairs (like the old airport) and were driven to the terminal by buses. It seems all the terminal jet-bridges were taken up. And this was a big plane too.

I hate to imagine what will happen in the future if nothing is done. Especially now that Greece is spending big money to promote as a winter destination too. I think there were 300 extra flights during the holiday time in December this year. What do those people do? Get out in the cold (well this year it isnt cold) and sometimes snow and rain? I thought we have a 'world class airport'.

with Greece's expanded tourism i think you will see airports in Thessaloniki open up for more of an international presence as well as in the future, cities like Patras, hreklion, Volos, open up and expand there airports, i dont think there should be any panick in Athens yet there airport is sufficient there are many things that need to be done before expanding it

with Greece's expanded tourism i think you will see airports in Thessaloniki open up for more of an international presence as well as in the future, cities like Patras, hreklion, Volos, open up and expand there airports, i dont think there should be any panick in Athens yet there airport is sufficient there are many things that need to be done before expanding it

Patras dosnt have an airport. There is a military base near by that was used for commercial service for a while but thats it.

I would love to see the Agrinio airport open back up to commercial service since I have a house about 20 minutes from there.

grk101 first of all welcome to agora! :)

Patras dosnt have an airport. There is a military base near by that was used for commercial service for a while but thats it.

I would love to see the Agrinio airport open back up to commercial service since I have a house about 20 minutes from there.

Regarding your post above, the only airport in use in the whole region of North Peloponnese is the Araxos airport , 45 km west of Patras and it is still used for passenger flights from April-October.
Sometimes is mentioned as Patras airport.
It is on the same area of the Araxos airforce base (A-7 Corsair aircrafts)

The airport though it is small it serves 6 months of the year for charter flights mainly from germany.
It is currently expanded with a new terminal building .
It is still small but there is a great future if you consider the construction of the new highway Corinth-Patras-Tsakona , and that there is a huge potential for the tourism developement of north/west peloponnese.
There is no need for expantion of the runway since it has one of the longest in Greece (cause of the military airport).

I think that the next building should be built in the opposite side along with the inclosed parking builing. Also as in CGX (De Gaulle) in Paris they should make an inner train connection between the two main terminals or otherwise connect by a bridge the airport train station with the new building in the same way as it's now with the current.

I think the second approach would be indeed cheaper but the first one would lay out the foundations for further expansions giving room for connections with other main terminals to be built in the next decade.

As for the satellite concourses I guess they hold an average of 4m psgs/year each.

Anyway whatever they plan to do I think nothing will be announced until mid-late 07.

Also, I have to add that we don't have to stick only with the ultra-modernization of just one air facility as our country's dimension are big enough and cannot be served only by one over 10millions level airport.

Actually Greece should be compared with Germany a country with very similar dimensions where the air service is well divided into many areas, for instance:

The distance between the largest northern city of Germany and the largest southern one, namely Hamburg-Munich is slightly smaller than that of Greece largest northern city and the largest southern one, namely Thessaloniki-Iraklion; so as in the case of Germany we could have to major above 10 millions levels airports in the respective cities (no problem with that part so far, as it's into the plans of the government to build two airports in both cities serving over 12 millions in each).

Then we have the middle S-N largest one in Athens as in Germany they have Frankfurt-Main.

Now, in the case of the SE we could have covered that area by an ultramodern airport in Rodos as in the NW by a large airport in Kerkyra (that cannot be compared easily with Germany as our distances in that case are larger and would cover comparatively the distance between somewhere near Vienna and Amsterdam).

Also as a main western airport we could have Patra developing something big in Araxos as in the NE Alexandroupoli could be established as the aeronautical center of the NE area.

So with large airports in Athens, Thessaloniki, Iraklio, Rodos, Kerkyra, Patra and Alexandroupoli we could cover the largest aeronautical needs while as a buffer supporting level we could have the in-between medium-sized regional airports like Ioannina, Chania, Mykonos, Santorini, Samos, Larissa, Kavala, Kalamata, etc.

Actually Greece should be compared with Germany a country with very similar dimensions where the air service is well divided into many areas, for instance:


But the big different in that is that the population of Germany is 82,438,000. Greece has a population of 10,688,005 with about 40% (4,000,000) of them living in the Athens area. Furthermore a lot of tourist attractions are in Athens. (Excluding beaches and islands)

I think Greece would rather have a high capacity airport in Athens where they will get the most $$$$ people spend, than medium-low traffic Airports around the country.

To me the 3 big airports in Greece are Athens, Thessaloníki, and Heraklion.

Small Correction: according to Eurostat 82m is the current population of Germany while 10,688,005 is the one of Greece 7 years ago, same space different times.

Actually the current legal population according to Eurostat is around 11.5millions and that number doesn't include non-citizens.

Also the best standard of living isn't in Athens but the Dodecanesse.

Don't forget also the visitors, as Greece is a country of over 16 millions visitors going up to 20 millions (being among the most visited countries on earth).

Finally as for the economy the economic gap between Greece and Germany is day by day smaller.

My population figures are going by the CIA World factbook which is pretty reliable. (https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html) Anyway, it says for Greece 10,688,058 (July 2006 est.) and Germany 82,422,299 (July 2006 est.) The world factbook is put together by the US CIA for government use, so it is pretty reliable.

Actually the data of the CIA is much erroneous in many aspects, unfortunately as it's a US entity it's considered as the god's opìnion, actually many figures are reliable but most of them must be updated.

Also the CIA world factbook is not an European entity, and regarding european figures I rely on Eurostat.

As that poipulation number regards, we were even more in the 2001 when the census was carried out. Unless 1 million Greeks migrated abroad (as well as all the immigrants) and no one in Greece or even Europe realized of that fact but the guys of the CIA.

2001 census revealed 10,744,740 according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_diaspora

So, as you can see the factbook is not that perfect...

According to Eurostat in 2004 We were around 11.040.000 while in late 2005 around 11.260.000.

As you can see the current aproximate 11.500.000 figure is feasible (and in none of these numbers the immigrants are included).

My population figures are going by the CIA World factbook which is pretty reliable. (https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html) Anyway, it says for Greece 10,688,058 (July 2006 est.) and Germany 82,422,299 (July 2006 est.) The world factbook is put together by the US CIA for government use, so it is pretty reliable.

CIA World factbook is 100% crap. :bash:

I don't understand what the impact of different population estimates would be for the airport annual passenger traffic numbers. I will go with the opinion of "Ypsilon" from Stadia.gr who simply says that a 15+ million traffic is a de facto entry in the family of serious European airports. It seems that especially with regards to certain destinations i.e. the oil-producing Arab nations, the AIA is becoming a very favourable transfer hub and -yes- they do have the money to pay the high fees and tariffs.

The expansion of the airport (which will definitely include a new terminal and a multi-storey parking lot) will have to be towards the side of the west runway unless for feasibility reasons, they prefer to fully develop the east side first with new satellite buildings, with all the pertinent disadvantages (i.e. large distances from the main building, etc).

For sure, it is a good sign though that the airport's shopping complex is also doing well already. This means that the airport is making good moneys from the side activities that may be thrown in the expansion projects, erc.

What may be needed though is the architectural upgrade of the airport, if a major expansion is to take place towards the west side. This will call for the addition of a decoration roof covering many of the public spaces now in the open, particularly above the taxi loading/ unloading area between the hotel and the footbridge connecting the terminal with the suburban/ metro station.

In any case, securing a 20+ million annual passenger movement figure withing the 2010's will signify a major deal of progress for the country as a whole, given the fact that the new Thessaloniki airport will be ready at that time and as well as the expansion works of other peripheral airports like Ioannina and Heraklion in Crete. This will enable us to have a reliable airport system with three to five major international airports (with AIA being "the flagship") and better serve all toutes between middle east, the mediterranean, as well as de-congest continental European airports like Amsterdam and Frankfurt which, other things being equal (and although I am not aware of their per annum passenger traffic figures) may well have broken the 100mil. passenger mark.

ΑΙΑ will never become an important gateway because it is very expensive for companies to use it.I think a new 20 million airport shoupd be built in Crete for this reason.

The largest airport in Europe as traffic concerns is Heathrow with 65m.
Followed by:
2. Frankfurt aus Main
3. Paris Charles de Gaulle
4. Amsterdam Schipoll
5. Madrid Barajas

As for the world's number one that title is held by Atlanta's Hartfield with the amazing number of.........85 millions!!!!!!!!

Followed by Chicago O' Hare being the 2nd in the world.

ΑΙΑ will never become an important gateway because it is very expensive for companies to use it.I think a new 20 million airport shoupd be built in Crete for this reason.

Actually AIA is offering some very good deals to lure new airlines in, which has been successful.

Check this page out: http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/charges&incentives/incentives/body.shtm



Here is a list of some of the airlines that I can think of that have come to Athens this past year, and coming this year: Air One, Blue 1, Flyglobespan, Norwegian, Pakistan International, Continental Airlines, Us Airways, Air Air Lingus, AirBaltic, Carpatair, Globespan, including existing airlines opening up new long-haul routes.

I thought Heathrow is in the area of 80m+. I am surprised by Frankfurt's progress but I understand this is natural being in the centre of continental Europe. Schiphol is OK and I am glad to see Barahas in the top 5. What happened to Fiumiccino (Roma) though? Thought it was one of the top 5 some time.

And the world numbers are also surprising. Atlanta overtook LAX? I mean OK Chicago's O' Hare would bi the the world's top 5 but I am surprised that it also came in front of the LAX too. Looks like the Pacific routes ain't that popular anymore...

I read a few days ago about the 2006 traffic figures of different world airports, and Rome's Fumiccino was somewhere in the 25millions (Not that far from Venizelos actually).

As for the American airports it happens to be that they use mainly the airports for domestic flights (Canada is considered domestic also) that's why Chicago being at the crossroads (both as far as aviation and railroads regards) has such a big pssgs flow.

While coastal airports like KJFK, KLAX, KMIA are in the levels of 50m, 60m and 35m respectively to mention just a few.

Also Hartfield airport is the Delta's hub while Denver and Chicago United's one. Also Northwest uses Minneapolis as its hub, FEDEX Memphis, TN and Indianapolis, IN.

As you can see most hubs are inland in Midwestern (Central) or Mountain zone airports, that's in America's heartland (The real America, that big landmass located between New York and LA :) ). Maybe the reason is because most flights are used for domestic services while the coastal ones mainly for international.

The case of New York is special though, as it's flights needs are covered by three airports Kennedy KJFK, La Guardia KLGA and Newark KNWK totalling some 100 millions pssgs (that's the largest and most congested area in the world). So if one hypergiant airport had been the one covering the needs of the big apple, that one could had been the largest on earth.

Here's a list of airports passengers by country and aipts in 2006:

Top European aipts:

1- London Heathrow: 67,340,090 passengers
2- Paris CDG: 56,849,567
3- Frankfurt: 52,820,000
4- Amsterdam Schiphol: 46,062,111
5- Madrid Barajas: 45,530,010

Top 35 European aipts:

01) London Heathrow: 67,329,553 passengers
02) Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle: 56,849,567
03) Frankfurt: 52,820,000
04) Amsterdam Schiphol: 46,062,111
05) Madrid Barajas: 45,530,010
06) London Gatwick: 34,080,583
07) Munich: 30,530,000
08) Rome Fiumicino: 30,176,760
09) Barcelona El Prat: 30,008,152
10) Paris Orly: 25,622,152
11) London Stansted: 23,680,487
12) Palma de Mallorca Son Sant Joan: 22,408,302
13) Manchester: 22,124,480
14) Milan Malpensa: 21,767,267
15) Dublin International: 21,000,000
16) Copenhagen Kastrup: 20,877,000
17) Istanbul Atatürk: 19,255,690
18) Zurich Kloten: 19,200,000
19) Oslo Gardermoen: 17,672,179
20) Stockholm Arlanda: 17,539,000
21) Vienna Schwechat: 16,900,000
22) Bruxelles Zaventem: 16,700,000
23) Düsseldorf International: 16,600,000
24) Moscow Domodedovo: 15,370,000
25) Athens International: 15,079,662
26) Malaga: 13,076,252
27) Moscow Sheremetyevo: 12,764,000
28) Helsinki Vantaa: 12,109,000
29) Hamburg: 11,954,040
30) Berlin Tegel: 11,812,625
31) Prague Ruzyně: 11,581,511
32) Gran Canaria Gando: 10,286,635
33) Stuttgart 10,100,000
34) Nice Côte d'Azur: 9,948,035
35) Cologne/Bonn 9,900,000

Top European countries (by country totals) for International flights:
1- UK
2- Germany
3- France
4- Spain
5- Netherlands
6- Italy
7- Greece

Airports by country:

Spain:

Madrid, Barajas airport: 45,530,010
Barcelona, El Prat airport: 30,008,152
Palma de Mallorca, Son Sant Joan airport: 22,408,302
Málaga, Picasso airport: 13,076,252
Gran Canaria, Gando airport: 10,286,635

Germany:

Frankfurt: 52.82 million
Munich: 30.53 million
Dusseldorf: 16.60 million
Hamburg: 11.95 million
Berlin-Tegel: 11.90 million
Stuttgart: 10.11 million
Cologne/Bonn : 9.x million (not released yet)
Berlin-Schoenefeld: 6.09 million
Hanover: 5.70 million

France:

1 Paris CDG: 56,849,567
2 Paris Orly: 25,622,152
3 Nice 9 344 532
4 Lyon 6 240 215
5 Marseille 5 756 038
6 Toulouse 5 612 559
7 Bordeaux 2 924 186
8 bis Bâle-Mulhouse * 2 545 667
9 Strasbourg 1 942 296
10 Nantes 1 938 400

Italy:

Roma FCO 30.176.760
Milano MXP 21.767.267
Milano LIN 9.696.515
Venezia 6.342.178
Catania 5.396.380
Milano BGY 5.244.794
Napoli 5.095.969
Roma CIA 4.945.066
Bologna 4.001.436
Palermo ???
Torino 3.260.974
Pisa 3.014.656
Verona 3.007.965
Cagliari ???
Bari 1.972.926
Olbia 1.832.085
Firenze 1.531.406
Lamezia T. 1.356.998
Treviso 1.340.874
Genova 1.079.990
Alghero 1.070.491
Brindisi 815.541
Trieste - Ronchi dei L. 677.106
Forlì 618.521
Reggio Cal. 607.727
Pescara ???
Ancona 481.588
Trapani ???
Rimini 324.454
Brescia 232.465
Parma 127.674
Crotone 104.421
Bolzano 76.162

London airports:

- London Heathrow = 67,340,090
- London Gatwick = 34,080,965
- London Stansted = 23,680,945
- London Luton = 9,414,831
- London City = 2,358,176

Moscow airports data:

-Domodedovo - 15.370.000
-Sheremetyevo - 12.764.000
-Vnukovo - 5.100.000

Zurich Airport (ZRH)

-19.2 million passengers in 2006

Austria:

-Vienna Schwechat: 16,855,725

Belgium:

Bruxelles Zaventem: 16,700,000

Poland:

Warsaw - Okecie - 8 101 000
Krakow - Balice - 2 347 000
Katowice - Pyrzowice - 1 438 000
Gdansk - Rebiechowo - 1 250 000
Wroclaw - 858 000
Poznan - Lawica - 637 000
Lodz - Lublinek - 216 000
Rzeszow - Jasionka - 207 000
Szczecin - Goleniow - 176 670
Bydgoszcz - Szwederowo - 133 000
ZIelona Gora - Babimost - 8 316

Turkey:

Istanbul Atatürk: 19,255,690

Norway:

-Oslo Gardermoen: 17,672,179

Sweden:

-Stockholm Arlanda: 17,539,000

You know, there was a rumor before that EasyJet wanted to make ATH a new hub. They wanted another hub, that would be in south-eastern europe to possibly expand their flights further outside of Europe to places like the middle east and north Africa. I think at one point they also looked at IST. Not sure what is happening. I wonder how this would affect Olympic on the European routes. But it would increase passenger traffic and make it very cheap to flight intra-Europe to Greece.

You never know, it might happen. I think they have something like 120 new planes on order, all for expansion on top of the 100+ planes they got now.

Hey man , according to my information this is not just rumors , it is future plans almost aranged.Athens will be easyjet's nexthub.I am 99% sure about what I am saying.

Hey man , according to my information this is not just rumors , it is future plans almost aranged.Athens will be easyjet's nexthub.I am 99% sure about what I am saying.

What information do you got? I would be very interested to know. :) Good news for Athens. This will increase traffic no doubt with the cheap fairs. But Olympic will hurt even more. (Im saying about Olympic, because I fly them from the US, and i've always had good service)

Competition usually turns out to be better for everybody involved. Even though it might potentially hurt Olympic Airways, it might also potentially better Olympic Airways and may even lower costs.
Also, the owner of EasyJet is Greek himself:
According to www.easyjet.com, "The airline was founded by Stelios Haji-Ioannou, and the family remains the major shareholder. He controls other separate easyGroup companies such as easyInternetCafe, easyCar.com, easyMoney, and easyValue."

Unfortunately, I happened to stumble across this site while I was searching for information:

http://gospain.about.com/b/a/000078.htm

It says that EasyJet "announced that they are to make Madrid their new European hub." The date of this article was August 26,2006.

Unfortunately, I happened to stumble across this site while I was searching for information:

http://gospain.about.com/b/a/000078.htm

It says that EasyJet "announced that they are to make Madrid their new European hub." The date of this article was August 26,2006.

EasyJet could still make Athens a hub. They have a couple of them already all around europe, but none in south-eastern Europe. So it may be good to use Athens as a gateway to further expand flights outside of Europe. (Even flights to Cyprus as the owner is Cypriot I think) Plus according to wikipedia, with all the orders and options they have on planes, they total up to around 350! So those are alot of planes to fill! :)


This is from wikipedia:
easyJet's main base is London Luton (LTN), although its largest is now at London Gatwick (LGW). It also has hubs at:

* Belfast International Airport (BFS),
* Berlin-Schönefeld International Airport (SXF),
* Bristol International Airport (BRS),
* Dortmund Airport (DTM),
* Edinburgh Airport (EDI),
* EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL),
* Geneva Cointrin International Airport (GVA),
* Glasgow International Airport (GLA),
* Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL),
* London Stansted (STN),
* Malpensa International Airport, Milan (MXP),
* Newcastle Airport (NCL),
* East Midlands Airport (EMA),
* Orly Airport, Paris (ORY)
* Madrid Barajas International Airport (MAD) - hub opens 16 February 2007

I emailed Athens International Airport and asked them about their expansion plans. This is the email they wrote back to me:


"As you have mentioned in your email, Athens International Airport is nearing its theoretical capacity of 16 mio pax.
The Airport Development Agreement through the current Master Plan and its Development Plan however, makes provision for future step-by-step development of the airport in order to cope with capacity increases up to 50 mio pax.
In view of the fact though, that the current Master Plan was outdated (issued in 1993) and taking into consideration its current operational needs in support of its strategic targets, together with the latest trends in the Air Transport Industry, the Airport Company initiated in 2005 a Master Plan Update study.
After an international Tender Procedure two companies forming a JV were appointed to proceed with the Master Plan Update study.
Namely the companies were NACO from Netherlands and HALCROW from the UK.
The study was completed in 2006 and new airport development phases have been established for the 5, 10 and 15 years planning horizons.
The updated Master Plan is currently under a “review” status.

I hope that the above has given you some general info.
In order to be more specific about the airport development and how this could cope with the additional demand, one would have to examine the relevant airport development phases.

Kind regards

Spyros Mavroidis

Airport Planner

ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT S.A.

190 19 Spata

GREECE"

I'm surprised that you received such a detailed response. Often times companies keep such informations private, even though there is no reason to do so.

WOW! Great news to know that atleast something is in the works!

Now the big question. What can we expect?

Hmmm. I heard a rumor saying that United wants to try to open up Washington DC to ATH soon. (this is from staff of the airline)


Interesting enough, someone had posted on Wikipedia Northwest Airlines was starting service from Chicago.

If both of these materialize, then we will have 6 airlines flying from the US from 5 airports. Not to mention that also the Charter company "Homeric Tours" ordered some planes a while ago to start up a mini-airline with plans to fly to Athens. Hmmm....

Glasgow based budget carrier, FlyGlobespan are looking to increase their flights from Athens International Airport. The airline currently operate just one flight a week between Glasgow and Athens but with rising demand and fully booked flights the airline are evaluating the option of adding a number of extra flight on the route. Check back with FlyGlasgow for the latest on this development or to book your flights between Glasgow and Athens visit www.flyglobespan.com

On a side note, FlyGlobespan have axed their daily Athens to London Stansted route.

Does anyone think Olympic could be interested in a Glasgow to Athens flight? there is a large Greek community in Glasgow, and both cities are becoming more and more popular all the time for city breaks. The connections on offer in Athens would also be a big plus.

Glasgow based budget carrier, FlyGlobespan are looking to increase their flights from Athens International Airport. The airline currently operate just one flight a week between Glasgow and Athens but with rising demand and fully booked flights the airline are evaluating the option of adding a number of extra flight on the route. Check back with FlyGlasgow for the latest on this development or to book your flights between Glasgow and Athens visit www.flyglobespan.com

On a side note, FlyGlobespan have axed their daily Athens to London Stansted route.

Does anyone think Olympic could be interested in a Glasgow to Athens flight? there is a large Greek community in Glasgow, and both cities are becoming more and more popular all the time for city breaks. The connections on offer in Athens would also be a big plus.

Right now their biggest money maker in the UK routes is Athens-London Heathrow. They even send in their biggest plane (A340 [295 seats]) very often (I think 1 flight a day?) on top of the 2 other flights they got with smaller planes the same days.

Right now their biggest money maker in the UK routes is Athens-London Heathrow. They even send in their biggest plane (A340 [295 seats]) very often (I think 1 flight a day?) on top of the 2 other flights they got with smaller planes the same days.

I’m positive Olympic could do very well out of a Glasgow to Athens service.

I’m positive Olympic could do very well out of a Glasgow to Athens service.

But according to Wikipedia there are 2 other Airlines on the route. Tough completion. You have flyglobespan and Air Scotland.

But according to Wikipedia there are 2 other Airlines on the route. Tough completion. You have flyglobespan and Air Scotland.

Currently there are just 3 flights a week direct from Glasgow to Athens, but there are hundreds of people still flying with KLM via Amsterdam because the direct flights are always full.

If Olympic offered flights on a daily basis they would have the advantage by offering greater flexibility to passengers and the onward connections on offer in Athens would be a big plus.

I’m just hopeful that someone will offer a daily flight on the route, wither it be FlyGlobespan or Olympic.

Still alittle doubtful since Olympic isnt in the best position to expand flights anywhere.

Still alittle doubtful since Olympic isnt in the best position to expand flights anywhere.

Ah well, I guess I will pin my hopes on FlyGlobespan then. :)

Basically Olympic is a dead organism today.

AIA offers more international scheduled flights summer 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007

An 11% growth on a year-to-year basis has been presented by Athens International Airport with the launch of its Summer 2007 Timetable. Analytically, in the Summer 2007 Timetable, 66 airlines will be operating 1,045 weekly scheduled flights, connecting AIA to 82 international destinations (88 airports) in 50 countries.

In the domestic sector, scheduled services out of Athens also present a 6% increase on a year-to-year, with 903 weekly frequencies.

New "arrivals":

Athens International Airport welcomes 10 new airlines operating scheduled services during Summer 2007: Carpatair, Continental Airlines, Ilyich-Avia, KrasAir, US Airways, as well as the low cost carriers Aer Lingus, Air Baltic, and KDavia. In addition, Finnair and Saudi Arabian Airlines are reintroducing scheduled flights out of Athens.

Moreover, Athens International Airport`s network is expanded with 9 new destinations:

Philadelphia / USA (US Airways), Riga / Latvia (Air Baltic), Lviv and Marioupolis / Ukraine (Donbassaero and Ilyich-Avia, respectively), Kaliningrad / Russia (KDavia), Timisoara / Romania (Carpatair), Jeddah and Riad / Saudi Arabia (Saudi Arabian Airlines), and Gothenburg / Sweden (Sterling),

And 3 new airports:

Newark /New York (Continental Airlines), Paris Orly (easyJet), and Moscow`s Domodedovo (KrasAir)

Additional frequencies to destinations already served at Athens International Airport:

Moreover, during the 2007 Summer Period, the following airlines have added new destinations to their scheduled services: Aegean Airlines to Bucharest and Cairo, and Donbassaero to Odessa, as well as low cost carriers easyJet to Paris, Germanwings to Stuttgart, and SkyEurope to Vienna and Prague.

Olympic Airlines increased their frequencies to the USA and Canada, as well as to all their Balkan destinations. Aegean Airlines increased their frequencies to Sofia, and will be flying directly to Frankfurt and Munich (previously via Thessaloniki). Also, Aegean Airlines, Air France, and Lufthansa added one daily frequency compared to the previous summer period, to Milan, Paris, and Frankfurt, respectively. Moreover, 15 other airlines also increased their frequencies to/from Athens International Airport.

The even stronger presence of low cost carriers at Athens International Airport highlights the 2007 Summer Period, with a 23.1% increase compared to last year. The low cost market presents the strongest development at Athens International Airport during the last 5 years, with an average annual passenger growth of 30%. With only one low cost carrier at Athens International Airport in 2002, Athens will now be connected during Summer 2007 to 27 European destinations, by 15 low cost airlines.

The top destinations served out of Athens International Airport during the 2007 Summer Period:

In the Summer 2007 Timetable, AIA`s top international routes are Larnaca with 89 and Paris with 70 scheduled weekly frequencies, followed by London, Rome, Frankfurt, and Munich, with 67, 64, 49, and 46 weekly flights each. The top domestic routes are Thessaloniki with 143 and Heraklion with 91 weekly frequencies, followed by Rhodes, Santorini, and Mykonos, with 70, 65, and 60 weekly frequencies, respectively.

Vicky Karantzavelou - Friday, March 23, 2007


From: http://www.traveldailynews.com/new.asp?newid=36263&subcategory_id=95

err.. the name of this Russian airline, KrasAir, doesn't sound too good... :lol: I would stick with the good old Aeroflot... :):):)

Now, seriously, these are good news. I simply wonder though how meny passengers would travel from Athens to Philadelphia. Even Newark as a destination is a bit odd. However, it could easily decongest the flights towards JFK diring the peak seasons.

With this and that, as we say in Greek, the airport has become a regional hub... Good for us and this part of Europe... :)

err.. the name of this Russian airline, KrasAir, doesn't sound too good... :lol: I would stick with the good old Aeroflot... :):):)

Now, seriously, these are good news. I simply wonder though how meny passengers would travel from Athens to Philadelphia. Even Newark as a destination is a bit odd. However, it could easily decongest the flights towards JFK diring the peak seasons.

With this and that, as we say in Greek, the airport has become a regional hub... Good for us and this part of Europe... :)

Newark and Philadelphia will offer great onward connections to all over the USA, Canada, Caribbean and South America.

Both routes work well from my local airport, with around 70% of passengers using them for onward connections.

err.. the name of this Russian airline, KrasAir, doesn't sound too good... :lol: I would stick with the good old Aeroflot... :):):)

Now, seriously, these are good news. I simply wonder though how meny passengers would travel from Athens to Philadelphia. Even Newark as a destination is a bit odd. However, it could easily decongest the flights towards JFK diring the peak seasons.

With this and that, as we say in Greek, the airport has become a regional hub... Good for us and this part of Europe... :)

I live near Philadelphia, and there is a HUGE Greek population. Also the 'main' Greek travel agent, always books people out of Philadelphia (connecting flights past years) unless you ask her otherwise.

Newark is right outside of NYC. So its not that odd. It offers a great alternative for those who dont want to go with Delta or Olympic out of JFK (New York). Philadelphia is only about 1.5 hours away from there. Great for also those who travel from alittle more south to go to NYC just for a direct flight (Delaware, Maryland)


And funny about KrasAir. I just realized that too. :nuts:



Now all we need is another big name airline to come in and establish a mini-hub in Athens. :)

Why is alot of things STARED out?

Anyway, regarding passenger travel in the United States to Greece, take a look at this map found on Wikipedia. It shows Greek-American population through out the United States with the darker color meaning higher population and lighter meaning less to none.

As you can see, N-E-W--Y-O-R-K, N-E-W-A-R-K, and Philadelphia are in a pretty dark zone. Not to mention that N-E-W-A-R-K is a hub for Continental, which is great connections with in the US (more Greeks) and Philadelphia is a hub for US Airways.

Here it is: http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2561/greek1346vl9.gif

(the - - - - is done because for some reason the site is blocking out the letters in the words with stars)

BTW, amazing map!!!
The data is based on 2000 us census

more maps here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maps_of_American_ancestries

Wow there are even a good proportion of Greeks in places like Idaho or NW Colorado as well as in Wyoming, and Fairbanks and Wales counties in Alaska!!!!

yes. I forgot to say that this is from the 2000 Census.

Here is a isolation of the North Eastern Part of the US. (It looks like that is where most Greek-Americans live too, including me.) I have added Green Dots to show where NYC, Newark, and Philadelphia Airports are. (roughly there)

As you can all see, they are all with in the darkest zone, and also serve a dark zone all around it, not including other people from all over the US who fly into those airports. NYC is a hub for DELTA, NEWARK is a hub for CONTINENTAL, and PHILADELPHIA is a hub for US AIRWAYS. So as I said before, great connections.

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/1361/untitled1nf0.jpg


Now from the looks of the Map, the Boston area is also very dark (lots of Greeks). Olympic had tried Boston for a while, but pulled out. I think part of the problem there was that Olympic dosnt really offer great connections with in the US.

do you have new photos???

do you have new photos???

of what?

Athens airport results pave way for IPO
Financial Times
By Kerin Hope in Athens
Updated: 10:10 p.m. ET April 4, 2007

Athens International Airport, a partnership between Germany's Hochtief group and the Greek state, on Wednesday reported its first profits under international accounting standards (IFRS), opening the way for an initial public offering on the Athens stock exchange.

AIA said full-year pre-tax profits reached Euro96.3m on revenues of Euro357.5m, driven by strong commercial activity and higher passenger traffic.

Germany's biggest construction group built the Euro2.2bn airport as a greenfield project for the 2004 Athens Olympics, with the aim of developing it as a hub for the east Mediterranean.
Story continues below ↓advertisement

The Greek state holds 55 per cent of AIA, the first international airport built as a public private partnership. The government plans to sell a 15-20 per cent equity tranche through a public offering as part of its privatisation programme.

Hochtief has a 40 per cent stake in AIA and a 30-year management concession. The other 5 per cent belongs to Kopelouzos, a private Greek energy and construction group.

Traffic through Athens, the capital's only airport, increased 5.6 per cent last year to 15.1m passengers. Under the 1995 concession agreement, Greece undertook not to open two military airports near the city to low-cost carriers.

A medium-sized player in airport management, Hochtief also runs Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Sydney and Tirana airports.

Last month Hochtief opened a Euro50m new passenger terminal at Tirana, Albania's only international gateway, after taking over management in 2005 under a 20-year concession. It controls 48 per cent stake of the airport, with the balance held by Germany's KfW group and the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund, a US-backed venture capital operation.
Copyright The Financial Times Ltd. All rights reserved.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17951793/


AND ALSO


Athens airport 2006 profit rose 67 pct, traffic up

Athens International Airport (AIA) said yesterday 2006 pretax profit rose 67 percent to 96.3 million euros on record passenger traffic last year. AIA, owned by the government and German contractor Hochtief, said it reported financial results under international financial reporting standards (IFRS) for the first time. Passenger traffic last year grew 5.6 percent to a new record of 15.1 million as the six-year-old airport handled more flights. The government has said it wants to reduce its 55 percent stake and take the company public on the Athens Stock Exchange, but the plan is not likely to take place this year. AIA saw a 5.5 percent increase in the number of flights last year, with its cargo business up 3.6 percent to 120,000 tons. The average load factor – a measure of how successfully planes were filled – was 70 percent last year. (Reuters)

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/news/economy_&xml/&aspKath/economy.asp?fdate=05/04/2007

Watching MEGA COSMOS here in the US, I saw a commercial for German Airline LUFTHANSA advertising that they serve 5 airports in Greece. Olympic obviously also advertises on the channel. I have also seen LUFTHANSA advertisements in Greek on little banners on Greek sites lately. They must be interested in the rising Greek traffic. Dont they also have some deal with AEGEAN AIRLINES recently and are trying to get them into an alliance?

Yes they have a deal with aegean thats true, no clues what the details are though.

According to WikipediaL
"Since 2005, the airline is in partnership with Lufthansa, offering participation to the Miles & More program. Its flights, except from its A3 code, also have the Lufthansa LH code."

Also I seem to recall Lufthansa trying to make Aegean part of Sky Team? Something like that. Now what could this mean for Olympic.....

Olympic? as we ve already said 1000000 times olympic is dead, they just want to sell it as soon as possible since they cant manage such a company.

Aegean have recently announced their plan to buy a number of medium sized-medium range jets so yes, I would anticipate an alliance under development with one of the majors.

As for Olympic, they went asking for it-the state, the company, everyone...

Aegean have recently announced their plan to buy a number of medium sized-medium range jets so yes, I would anticipate an alliance under development with one of the majors.

As for Olympic, they went asking for it-the state, the company, everyone...

Aegean has already reiceived a number of the ordered a-320, its a number of 20 aircraft that were ordered.

I still believe Olympic has SOMETHING left. At least for Long Haul. I would like to have a nice quality Greek airline flying long haul.

Me too, and their safety record remains unrivalled. However, we all know their sins... unfortunately... and obviously it doesn't have to do with the quality or the training of the air crews, which remains very high.

Nea texnikh bash gia thn Aegean Airlines sto "El. Venizelos"?

http://www.naftemporiki.gr/news/static/07/04/30/1329247.htm

Some time we may have to talk bout the eco-structures in this airport. Did you know for instance that the suburban rail/ metro rail station has some of its exterior surfaces covered with solar photovoltaic panels? ;)

^^
Really??...I didn't know that...tell us more!!!

Air China will carry out direct flights from Bejing to Athens starting 1 September 2007.

http://news.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_economyepix_1_03/05/2007_225483

Air China will carry out direct flights from Bejing to Athens starting 1 September 2007.

http://news.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_economyepix_1_03/05/2007_225483

I guess that dosnt look good for the planned Olympic Hong Kong flight. I remember seeing on the Olympic site that they actually advertised Air China. I guess some kind of code-share maybe?

looking at this: http://www.ana.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=5306941&maindocimg=4802453&service=102 the Air China flight will initially include a stop in Dubai with the option to abolish it if traffic is high for just ATH.

That's Dubai and Athens on one shot? VERY-VERY interesting as these two countries probably constitute our future business partners.

Really good news!!!

Yes it is. But Olympic, Emirates, and Kuwait Airways fly Dubai already.

Anyway, will be interesting to see what other destinations we get soon. I think I read somewhere that Greece and India signed a letter of intent to start flights.

ALSO
From: http://asia.news.yahoo.com/070504/4/31ax7.html
Friday May 4, 9:27 AM
S. Korea, Greece Agree to Establish Direct Air Route
SEOUL, May 4 Asia Pulse - South Korea and Greece have forged an agreement to allow direct flight services between the two nations, the government said Friday.

During a bilateral aviation meeting held in Greece on Thursday, the countries sealed the agreement to open the Incheon-Athens route, with seven flights a week, the Transportation Ministry said.

The distribution of the number of flights among private carriers is to be decided according to companies' requests, it added. The two sides also agreed to cooperate on linkage of flights and code sharing.

The establishment of the direct route will make it easier for travelers to reach the popular tourist destination from South Korea. Those using the route until now have mainly flown via Istanbul or Dubai.


GREAT NEWS FOR ATHENS THIS WEEK WITH NEW ASIAN ROUTES!!! :banana: :banana:

From: http://www.indembassyathens.gr/Business/Greek%20Finance%20Minister%20to%20visit%20India%20Feb%202007.htm
In the energy sector, Alogoskoufis cited Athens' interest in supplying liquefied natural gas to India and in participating in projects to develop renewable forms of energy in that country (wind, biofuels etc.) Air transport was also discussed, particularly with the establishment of direct flights between Greece and India and the likelihood of a London-Athens-New Delhi route.

And I think I also read in the news that Greece and India recently signed some sort of energy deal.

I found this article dated from last September at: http://www.greecetravelblog.com/blog/?p=79

In particular it states:

According to a survey by the World Travel and Tourism Council, Greece has only made use of 15% of its potential in the tourist sector, Petralia added

Great news about the South Korea routes. We have a long standing relationship with this country, we fought side by side during the Korean Wars and they love us. Plus, think of how many of you practice Taekwondo, for instance.

Also, notably, Seoul's Incheon international airport (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Incheon_International_Airport-2.jpg) opened in 2001, and on the same day with the new Athens airport, with a starting 25mn Capacity . Plus Seoul and Pusan have some of the most spectacular Asian skylines. And Incheon is a heck of an airport... :eek:


Below: Seoul's Incheon International Airport - From Wikipedia

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Incheon_International_Airport-2.jpg/800px-Incheon_International_Airport-2.jpg


Seoul Skyline - From Wikipedia

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Seoul-Samsungdong-buildings-01.jpg

What a great looking terminal.

This along with the new beijing airport are definitely my favourites !

And I have to wonder why they couldnt build an airport like that in Athens....

Well athens has an excellent airport, yes not that beautiful in architecture but still a good one :)

The Seoul terminal, though in a larger scale, reminds me the Thessaloniki's future terminal scheme.

Yes thats true, but was that design selected or was it just a proposal?

I am not sure whether there was an architectural competition for the AIA, however even if it is a little bit "german" it is absolutely functional and an easy airport.

Yes thats true, but was that design selected or was it just a proposal?

It was a selected design but no works yet.

Great news about the South Korea routes. We have a long standing relationship with this country, we fought side by side during the Korean Wars and they love us. Plus, think of how many of you practice Taekwondo, for instance.

Also, notably, Seoul's Incheon international airport (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Incheon_International_Airport-2.jpg) opened in 2001, and on the same day with the new Athens airport, with a starting 25mn Capacity . Plus Seoul and Pusan have some of the most spectacular Asian skylines. And Incheon is a heck of an airport... :eek:


Below: Seoul's Incheon International Airport - From Wikipedia

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Incheon_International_Airport-2.jpg/800px-Incheon_International_Airport-2.jpg


Seoul Skyline - From Wikipedia

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Seoul-Samsungdong-buildings-01.jpg


Korean's work ethic is similar to the japanese one yet they hate each other :dunno: . Oh and they love us cause we buy their Huindais! :nuts:
Anyways, It's great to have air-routes with a country which capital has twice Greece population :banana:

Anyways, It's great to have air-routes with a country which capital has twice Greece population :banana:

Seoul has a population of 10,300,000, if it was twice Greece pop it would be somewhere between 22 and 23 million.

So I think you meant twice Athens population :)

I was talking about the metro area ;)

Athens and Philadelphia connected directly by US Airways:

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/press_releases/show.asp?id=198

I've already bought tickets for this summer using this route! :D

Athens and Philadelphia connected directly by US Airways:

http://www.aia.gr/EN/business/media/press_releases/show.asp?id=198

I've already bought tickets for this summer using this route! :D

I am about to buy tickets, and I am debating weather I should go out of Philadelphia or Newark. I live near Philadelphia, but comparing the in-flight service Continental looks far more better than US Airways and its about the same price.

Take a look. The airport re-did their website, and the new one is AMAZING:

http://www.aia.gr/

Also they also have new route-maps to show destinations. Go to: http://www.aia.gr/pages.asp?pageid=992&langid=2 to find them.

Take a look. The airport re-did their website, and the new one is AMAZING:

http://www.aia.gr/

Also they also have new route-maps to show destinations. Go to: http://www.aia.gr/pages.asp?pageid=992&langid=2 to find them.

You are right... The new website of AIA is absolutely great! They did an excellent job!

Wow, I didnt realise AIA had 2 Bvlgari Stores as well as Diesel and Hugo Boss!

Paidia, yparxoun nea gia thn kataskeuh tou synedriakou kentrou sto xwro tou "Eleftherios Venizelos"?

I found a cool video about a simulation flight from Athens to Thessaloniki with both live and simulated video clips. If you just want to see some action at the Athens International Airport, watch the first couple of minutes. If you like simulated flying, watch the whole thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD0HI7kVS8U

Nice, though it's just FS2004, I would like to see FSX working as I can't; since despite I rushed to the store and purchased the new FSX as soon as it was released, to my big disappointment my system (a 1.8 PIV 512 DDR MSI GeForce6200) in not available to run it properly.

Moreover I want to buy a whole new system, but I don't wanna risk with any system, so if anyone is running it properly in his/her system I'd appreciate if he/she can recommend me a good one. (Of course I'm sure it must be Core 2 system with a graphic card like the GeForce7600 GT, at least, AKA a monster machine).

Microsoft, Micorsoft......arghhhhh :no:

Aπό την Ελλάδα στην Ευρώπη ο Γ. Διευθυντής του Ελ. Βενιζέλος

Ο Γενικός Διευθυντής του Διεθνούς Αεροδρομίου Αθηνών (ΔΑΑ) "Ελ.Βενιζέλος", κ. Γιάννης Παράσχης, εκλέχθηκε ομόφωνα Πρόεδρος του Διεθνούς Συμβουλίου Αεροδρομίων Ευρώπης (Airports Council International / ACI Europe), που αποτελεί τον επίσημο φορέα και τη «φωνή» 400 αεροδρομίων σε 45 χώρες της Ευρώπης, αντιπροσωπεύοντας το 90% της εμπορικής αεροπορικής κίνησης της Ευρώπης.

Με την ευκαιρία της εκλογής του στο πλαίσιο των εργασιών της 17ης Ετήσιας Γενικής Συνέλευσης του ACI Europe στη Ζυρίχη, ο κ. Παράσχης δήλωσε: «Η εκλογή μου στη θέση του Προέδρου του Διεθνούς Συμβουλίου Αεροδρομίων Ευρώπης με τιμά ιδιαίτερα. Η επιλογή των Ευρωπαίων συναδέλφων μας, αντικατοπτρίζει τη διεθνή αναγνώριση του αεροδρομίου της Αθήνας και είναι συγχρόνως μια εξαιρετική διάκριση για τον ελληνικό αεροπορικό κλάδο».

Ο κ. Παράσχης είναι επίσης Μέλος του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου του Παγκόσμιου Συμβουλίου Αεροδρομίων (ACI World), που εκπροσωπεί 1.530 αεροδρόμια σε 175 χώρες σε όλο τον κόσμο.



http://www.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_kathremote_13_18/06/2007_194307

New exhibition/convention center to be built at Athens International Airport

Υπεγράφη σύμβαση για εκθεσιακό στο «Ελ.Βενιζέλος»

Yπεγράφη χθες η σύμβαση ανάπτυξης εκθεσιακού και συνεδριακού κέντρου στον Διεθνή Αερολιμένα Αθηνών μεταξύ της εταιρίας διαχείρισης του αεροδρομίου και της κοινοπραξίας Rota, J&P-Aβαξ και Damco Energy (στην κοινοπραξία συμμετέχουν με ποσοστό 35% ο όμιλος Iωάννου – Παρασκευαΐδη, μέσω της J&P Aβαξ, με 32,5% ο όμιλος Κοπελούζου μέσω της Damco και με ποσοστό 32,5% η εταιρία οργάνωσης εκθέσεων Ρότα).

Το νέο εκθεσιακό κέντρο, το οποίο προβλέπεται να λειτουργήσει το 2009, θα έχει στεγασμένους χώρους 50.000 τ.μ., περισσότερες από 3.000 θέσεις στάθμευσης, με τη φιλοδοξία να προσφέρει υπηρεσίες εφάμιλλες ευρωπαϊκών εκθεσιακών κέντρων. Επίσης, την δραστηριότητα του νέου εκθεσιακού κέντρου θα συμπληρώνει συνεδριακή υποδομή που θα λειτουργεί υποστηρικτικά των εκθέσεων, με δυνατότητα φιλοξενίας 700 ατόμων.

Source: http://www.express.gr/index.php?selida_id=102&article=92370&categ=2&lang_id=1&PHPSESSID=7dcc55331c31f5ed5c8d888f63667dba

New exhibition/convention center to be built at Athens International Airport

Υπεγράφη σύμβαση για εκθεσιακό στο «Ελ.Βενιζέλος»

Yπεγράφη χθες η σύμβαση ανάπτυξης εκθεσιακού και συνεδριακού κέντρου στον Διεθνή Αερολιμένα Αθηνών μεταξύ της εταιρίας διαχείρισης του αεροδρομίου και της κοινοπραξίας Rota, J&P-Aβαξ και Damco Energy (στην κοινοπραξία συμμετέχουν με ποσοστό 35% ο όμιλος Iωάννου – Παρασκευαΐδη, μέσω της J&P Aβαξ, με 32,5% ο όμιλος Κοπελούζου μέσω της Damco και με ποσοστό 32,5% η εταιρία οργάνωσης εκθέσεων Ρότα).

Το νέο εκθεσιακό κέντρο, το οποίο προβλέπεται να λειτουργήσει το 2009, θα έχει στεγασμένους χώρους 50.000 τ.μ., περισσότερες από 3.000 θέσεις στάθμευσης, με τη φιλοδοξία να προσφέρει υπηρεσίες εφάμιλλες ευρωπαϊκών εκθεσιακών κέντρων. Επίσης, την δραστηριότητα του νέου εκθεσιακού κέντρου θα συμπληρώνει συνεδριακή υποδομή που θα λειτουργεί υποστηρικτικά των εκθέσεων, με δυνατότητα φιλοξενίας 700 ατόμων.

Source: http://www.express.gr/index.php?selida_id=102&article=92370&categ=2&lang_id=1&PHPSESSID=7dcc55331c31f5ed5c8d888f63667dba

Idou kai to sxetiko deltio typou tou DAA:

http://www.aia.gr/entry.asp?pageid=741&tablepageid=13&langid=1&entryid=186

Τα σχέδια του ΔΑΑ



Ο γενικός διευθυντής παράλληλα αναφερόμενος στα σχέδια του Αεροδρομίου τόνισε ότι μελετάται η συμμετοχή της εταιρείας σε ιδιωτικοποιήσεις διεθνών αεροδρομίων ενώ επεσήμανε ότι το ύψος των επενδύσεων του ΔΑΑ διαμορφώνεται σε ετήσια βάση περίπου σε 20 εκατ. ευρώ και εκτίμησε ότι τα επίπεδα επενδύσεων στην επόμενη 4ετία θα ανέλθουν σε περισσότερα από 100 εκατ. ευρώ. Επίσης παρουσίασε τα εξής σχέδια:

• Αξιοποίηση της υπάρχουσας χωρητικότητας (21 εκατ. επιβάτες σύμφωνα με την τελευταία μελέτη της ΙΑΤΑ/Μάιος 2007): Μέχρι το 2009 θα υλοποιηθεί έργο πλήρους αξιοποίησης του Δορυφορικού Αεροσταθμού - όπου θα διοχετευθεί το 30% της κίνησης του αεροδρομίου - με νέες υποδομές, καθώς και επέκταση του Κύριου Αεροσταθμού, με τη δημιουργία νέων εμπορικών χώρων.
• Δημιουργία νέας χωρητικότητας (άνω των 21 εκατ.): Το νέο χωροταξικό σχέδιο του ΔΑΑ για επιβατική κίνηση άνω της υπάρχουσας χωρητικότητας των 21 εκατ., καταρτίσθηκε βάσει των νέων δεδομένων της αεροπορικής αγοράς και θα υποβληθεί προς έγκριση σύμφωνα με τη Σύμβαση Ανάπτυξης Αεροδρομίου.
• Ανάπτυξη της ακίνητης περιουσίας όπου ο κ. Παράσχης αναφέρθηκε στο Εκθεσιακό & Συνεδριακό Κέντρο του αεροδρομίου που προβλέπεται να λειτουργήσει το 2009, καθώς και στα μελλοντικά σχέδια του ΔΑΑ (2ο ξενοδοχείο, χώροι ψυχαγωγίας/άθλησης, εγκαταστάσεις αποθηκών/logistics, επιχειρηματικό πάρκο).
• Ενδεχόμενο χρήσης εναλλακτικών και ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας, όπως τα φωτοβολταϊκά, με στόχο την ανάπτυξη φωτοβολταϊκού πάρκου 7MW (επένδυση 50 εκατ. ευρώ).



http://www.imerisia.gr/article.asp?catid=4666&subid=2&pubid=315560

Τα σχέδια του ΔΑΑ



http://www.imerisia.gr/article.asp?catid=4666&subid=2&pubid=315560

So it will be up to 21 Million capacity BY 2009? Its good to know that they are finally working on the new Satellite terminal, as well as an extension to the main one.

But IF the trends follow with Traffic through Athens, (it has been at a steady 1 million MORE each year) then it looks like it will reach its capacity again by 2011. I personally am hoping for this, so that Greece's tourism can rise in general. :) :)

The original plan for the airport does say it can be upgraded to accommodate up to 50 million. I would like to know how exactly it is planned to do this.

Bringing back an image I posted on page 7 of the thread, I imagine that the new satellite terminal will go to the LEFT next, just because the current one is there and it makes more sense (atleast to me) to have them in the same area, and not 1 on each side (for now)

And then I see some room to the right of the Main Terminal where the extension could put in about 3 more gates. And maybe 1 gate to the left of the terminal.

But again, as I posted before about it how long will it take to get there from the main terminal? Currently it takes about 20-30 minutes of WALKING to get the the satellite terminal. How much more will it add on to the second one?......:nuts:

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/8722/athoverviewnn0.jpg

ZOOM IN OF WHERE I THINK THE NEW SATELLITE TERMINAL WILL GO:
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/2019/31336422lm4.jpg

http://woo.gr/img/tornado%20athens%2001.jpghttp://woo.gr/img/tornado%20athens%2002.jpghttp://woo.gr/img/tornado%20athens%2003.jpghttp://woo.gr/img/tornado%20athens%2005.jpghttp://woo.gr/img/tornado%20athens%2006.jpghttp://woo.gr/img/tornado%20athens%2008.jpghttp://woo.gr/img/tornado%20athens%2009.jpghttp://woo.gr/img/tornado%20athens%2010.jpghttp://woo.gr/img/tornado%20athens%2011.jpg:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

holly shit... tornado hunting on the greek airport

holy shit...... tornado hunting on Greece's airport.

Hm whats wrong with tornados and airports, they really seem to love airports areas.

airport areas are flat... tornados are attracted to flat areas

Επεκτείνεται το αεροδρόμιο και θα εξυπηρετεί 21 εκατομμύρια επιβάτες τον χρόνο από το 2009

ΠΑΝΩ ΑΠΟ 20 εκατομμύρια επιβάτες τον χρόνο θα είναι σε θέση να εξυπηρετεί από το 2009 το διεθνές αεροδρόμιο της Αθήνας «Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος».
Μέχρι τότε αναμένεται να ολοκληρωθεί η επέκταση του κεντρικού αεροσταθμού του αεροδρομίου κατά περίπου 4.000
τ.μ., έργο που εκτιμάται ότι θα ανεβάσει τη συνολική ετήσια χωρητικότητά του σε 21 εκατ. επιβάτες.
Όπως ανακοίνωσε χθες ο νέος γενικός διευθυντής της εταιρείας του Διεθνούς Αερολιμένα Αθηνών (ΔΑΑ) Γιάννης Παράσχης, μέσα στην ερχόμενη τριετία στον χώρο του αεροδρομίου σχεδιάζονται συνολικές επενδύσεις ύψους περίπου 100 εκατ. ευρώ. Όπως ο ίδιος πρόσθεσε, η εταιρεία του ΔΑΑ είναι πλέον έτοιμη να εισαχθεί στο Χρηματιστήριο, πιθανότατα μετά τις εκλογές.
Σημειώνεται ότι πέρυσι οι επιβάτες που διακινήθηκαν συνολικά μέσω του ΔΑΑ ανήλθαν σε 15,1 εκατ., ενώ τα κέρδη προ φόρων της εταιρείας έφτασαν σε 96,3 εκατ. ευρώ. Φέτος, μέσα στο πρώτο εξάμηνο του χρόνου οι επιβάτες ανήλθαν σε 7,4 εκατ. (αυξήθηκαν κατά 10,1% σε σχέση με το 2006). Οι Ολυμπιακές Αερογραμμές παραμένουν ο μεγαλύτερος χρήστης του αεροδρομίου με μερίδιο αγοράς 34%. Ακολουθεί η Αegean Αirlines με 25%.
Ο κ. Παράσχης ανέφερε ακόμα ότι η εταιρεία του ΔΑΑ εξετάζει ήδη τη συμμετοχή της σε ιδιωτικοποιήσεις ξένων διεθνών αεροδρομίων, καθώς και την ανάληψη έργων σε άλλα αεροδρόμια σε αναπτυσσόμενες από αεροπορικής πλευράς περιοχές (Κίνα, Ινδία, Μέση Ανατολή- Σαουδική Αραβία).

poly kala nea afta :) etsiiii xairomai

AIA is definitely not one of the most appealing airports in the world...I've been to two airports in Japan, and neither are memorable (Tokyo and Osaka, well maybe I didn't spend enough time in Osaka airport to have a full picture).


Which airports were you at?

Tokyo:

Haneda HND (older airport, busier of the two, domestic + flights to Korea)
Narita NRT ("New Tokyo Airport," international flights + some domestic)

Osaka:

Itami ITM (older airport, domestic + flights to Korea)
Kansai KIX (man-made island, international flights + some domestic)

I've never been there, but Kansai's terminal looks amazing.

As for Athens:

I'm tired of people saying that they don't like it. I like Eleftherios Venizelos! I do think that Bankgkok Suvarnabhumi, Singapore Changi, Hong Kong Chep Lak Kok, Seoul Incheon, and Osaka Kansai are amazing airports, but I'm glad that Eleftherios Venizelos didn't copy them (yes, I know BKK opened after ATH did). I really do like ATH's terminal style, inside and outside (I agree the air side is a little plain, but the land side is really nice). Also, keep in mind that ATH couldn't build massive cathedral-like terminals like HKG, BKK, KIX, ICN, etc, because it serves a smaller popualation, and fewer passengers (and is not as big a hub as those other airports). I think Athens' terminals suit Athens well, I love the design, and -when Athens is expanded- ATH can always build the new terminal in different architectural style. Just like Paris CDG and Chicago ORD.

^^ Exactly, CDG had for years the same size of ATH, and now is the monster we all know. Moreover, the pattern of both airports is similar, so I see our future on a CDG style mega hub.

Just give ATH the time required to mature and grow, but take it for granted in some years our airport will have a similar lay out as that of CDG including an inner train connecting both main terminals.

It seems that passenger traffic is up and everything is going great for AIA. :)

Here is the press release in English from the Airport that includes plans about capacity upgrade:


Press Releases
2/7/2007
First semester 2007 traffic and future development plans


AIA’s four development pillars: Capacity utilization – Property Development – international presence – Care for the environment

In a Press Conference held today at Athens International Airport, AIA’s CEO, Dr. Yiannis Paraschis presented the airport’s 1st semester 2007 traffic results and future development plans, highlighting four key-pillars for future development: Utilisation of existing airport capacity and creation of new capacity – Property development – AIA’s strong international presence – Care for the environment

Passenger traffic up by 10.1% in the first semester of 2007

Recording an impressive +10.1% in passenger traffic in the 1st semester of the year, Athens International Airport ranks in 2007 among Europe’s fastest growing airports. All geographical regions demonstrated a traffic increase, while the 17 low cost airlines operating to / from AIA had a key role in the positive traffic development, connecting Athens with 31 destinations - 21 last year – and posting +50% passenger traffic on a year-to-year. Additionally international tourist arrivals were also increased by 17%, indicating AIA’s significant contribution in tourism.

AIA future development and business plans

• Utilisation of existing capacity (21 million passengers, according to latest IATA survey / May 2007): AIA’s goal, parallel to its continuous aeronautical development, is to maintain top level services offered to passengers and to keep upgrading the travellers’ experience: “It is our main goal”, Dr. Paraschis stressed, “to listen to our passengers. Following the trend and development of travellers’ expectations, leads us to the introduction of new passenger service elements.” Further to continuous monitoring through AIA quality research and ACI passenger survey, AIA initiated a programme introducing new or upgraded passenger services. At a later stage (2009), AIA will implement a project for the full utilisation of its Satellite Terminal Building - with new infrastructure - to absorb 30% of the airport’s traffic, while the airport’s Main Terminal will also expand, by creating new retail areas and business lounges.

• Creating new capacity (over 21 million passengers): AIA’s new master plan for traffic exceeding current capacity of 21 million passengers is based on the new aviation industry developments and will be submitted for approval according to the airport’s ADA provisions.

• In the framework of property development, Dr. Paraschis referred to the airport’s Exhibition & Conference Centre, due to begin operations in 2009, and to AIA’s future plans (development of 2nd airport hotel, leisure / sports areas, warehouse / logistics park, business park). “The materialization of the Airport Company’s vision to create a modern “airport city”, stressed Dr. Paraschis, “will make Athens International Airport an autonomous and attractive business destination, which is expected to contribute significantly to job creation, as well as to the economic development of the greater region.”

• A strong international presence
“AIA’s strong international presence”, Yiannis Paraschis stated, “is reflected in our intense external IT&T business activity in 12 international airports and our plans to expand our external business to more aviation fields, as well as in AIA’s active presence in international airport institutions.” In his capacity as President of ACI Europe, Dr. Paraschis referred to the main issues of concern for European airports currently, namely capacity, financing, security / safety, and environment.

• Placing special emphasis on environmental care, AIA’s CEO stated: “Implementing an integrated environmental management system, Athens International Airport operates responsibly towards the airport community and its neighbours, while at the same time undertaking initiatives on a wider scale. Until today we have invested more than 40 million euros, in a number of pioneering environmental projects and initiatives. In 2006, 1,720 tonnes of the airport’s total waste were recycled; this year we aim to exceed 2,500 tonnes. For the greater area, our initiatives for 2007 include a proposal for a 40,000 euros project for the preservation and protection of the wetland in Vravrona. We are currently examining the possibilities of using alternative and renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaics, aiming at the development of a 7MW photovoltaic park, an investment rising to 50 million euros. Since 2004, AIA operates a pilot photovoltaic unit, while in the same year we were the first Greek company to receive the European Commission’s GreenLight award for the implementation of a series of preventive maintenance activities and energy efficient measures in lighting, resulting in reducing emissions related to the greenhouse effect. Regarding the global issue of climate change, we shall investigate more future initiatives, aiming to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”

Referring to AIA’s environmental activity, AIA CEO said: “Dealing with environmental challenges responsibly and efficiently, is a priority for Athens International Airport. Our company’s environmental action and initiatives will continue, based on the principle that environmental protection is a prerequisite for the continuous development of the airport and the harmonious co-existence with the local communities.”


AIA Press Office
tel.: +30 (210) 35 37 227
fax: +30 (210) 35 37 838
AIA web link: www.aia.gr
e-mail: press_info@aia.gr

http://www.aia.gr/entry.asp?pageid=741&tablepageid=12&langid=2&entryID=202

Here is something I found online today. Not really related to the Airport directly, but to the traffic through it. Olympic Airlines has signed an agreement with American Express (Credit Card). Read:


Olympic Airways signs cooperation with AMEX
Friday, July 06, 2007

A new cooperation has been signed between Olympic Airways and American Express, with the companies offering two programs that will help frequent passengers to earn free flights with Greece’s national carrier.

Olympic Airways will participate in the Membership Rewards Program of AMEX with the edition of a new co-branded credit cards series along with AMEX and Alpha Bank, AMEX’s partner in Greece.

The agreement has two parts: According to the first one, the American Express cards holders who participate in the company’s reward program, will earn points when buying products with AMEX card. Then they will redeem these points to numerous offers including trips.

The second part of the agreement concerns the edition of co-branded OA’s cards in the current year. Olympic Classic American Express and Olympic Premium American Express are the first co-branded cards that are edited with the cooperation of Olympic Airways.

Mr. Tamer El-Emary, VP Airline Co-brands of American Express, said “We are pleased to expand our portfolio with a special designed tool to cover the needs of the frequent passengers. The new credit cards and the participation of Olympic Airways into the Membership Rewards Program aim at covering the financial needs but also the habits of the modern consumers. With these new credit cards and our cooperation with Olympic Airways we make a significant step forward.”

“It is extremely difficult for a company to keep its clients satisfied, in a more harsh and competitive environment that we live in. This is our target and we are happy to have the chance to offer to our customers two extraordinary products; access to a global membership rewards program and two very attractive co-branded cards that cover all the needs of the modern frequent flier. This cooperation is unique for the Greek market and a privilege for our dynamic entrance into the finance market with AMEX and Alpha Bank,” stated Mr. Leonardos – Odysseas Vlamis, CEO of Olympic Airways.

Michael Verikios - Friday, July 06, 2007

Sounds more like a response to the Aegean airlines miles program though :)

I've been to Tokyo Narita a million times. It's ok, but the efficiency of the staff makes it GREAT. Getting through Customs and Immigration is a snap, the staff are multi-lingual (English, Mandarin, Korean and Japanese) and courteous (I compare it to the US where many of them can barely speak English without ebonics, have their slacks hanging halfway down their buttcrack and are STUPID).

Kansai is pretty neat, but not easy to get to. One great thing about Japanese public buildings is NO SMOKING. Is it that way in Greece, now? Didn't used to be at the old airport.:ohno:

^^ :lol: I have to say...passively....I don't ever remember people at Elefthérios Venizélos disobeying smoking bans in non-smoking areas. I could be wrong, but as a non-smoker, I don't remember any intrusive cigarette smoke anywhere in the terminals. I guess that's the sign of a successful airport, that you don't remember any negative details...just a good overall experience.

I think attitudes about smoking bans are starting to change in Greece. There's still some work to do, but restaurants now have smoking and non-smoking sections. That's a start. But I wait for the day when there's a nationwide ban on indoor public smoking, just like Italy, Ireland, Argentina, New Zealand, and recently Britain. What do you guys think? Will it happen?

But I wait for the day when there's a nationwide ban on indoor public smoking, just like Italy, Ireland, Argentina, New Zealand, and recently Britain. What do you guys think? Will it happen?

A ban is fine and all but the problem is enforcing it! I'll never forget when I was in Milan Airport a few years back and there were a group of Greek and Italian students smoking right next to a Do Not Smoke sign! :lol: I think that pretty much sums up our attitude about smoking in public places! But I do agree, things are improving a little I hope it continues!

Cherry, Sounds like you were at Malpensa (or were you at Linate?) before the ban which was implemented Januar 2005 if my memory serves me right (or were you there afterwards?) From what I hear, the ban in Italy has been successful\, to the surprise of many.

Next stop in Southern Europe: France. A nationwide smoking ban is under discussion there too, and many people are skeptical...but it just might be successful! :)

Anyway Europe is kind of new on this smoking ban business in public areas, unlike America where they have a long tradition of smoking banning. I can still remember since I was a child going to the airport of Miami and listening for years a funny message both in English and Spanish saying that smoking was forbidden inside the airport, and it always ended with a funny "Gracias por no fumar". btw, that's in Spanish.

If anyone been in MIA and remembers that message, please let me know it.

I think now it's time for us the non-smokers to enjoy in inner public spaces and if a smoker just wishes to puff a smoke, either he/she has to hold it or go outside as we used to do for years in order to get some fresh air.

My girlfriend is allergic to cigarette smoke, so I don't appreciate it in confined places. Would hate to take her to Greece with me and have an incident like that spoil a nice occasion.

With all the emphasis on Green in Europe, it's incredible that they don't come down harder on smoking in public places. It's a dirty habit and your clothes STINK like crap when you return from a bar or disco. I'm all for letting people practice freedom, but only as long as it doesn't extend to MY freedoms.

Smoking costs the public treasury an incredible amount of money in medical issues, absenteeism due to health problems and deterioration of floors, furniture, electrical wiring, appliances, auto-interiors and so on due to smoking. It's time for Greece to relegate this dirty habit to the dustbin of history. And, mind you, I'm a smoker who quit cold-turkey 23 years ago.

If it wasn't for smoking and the pollution of our largest cities current life expectancy in Greece would be somewhere around the 90's. Still with all that it's 80.

^^ Perhaps! But even as things are today, Greece has one of the world's longest life expectancies.

^^ Yeap, I know it, but if it was longer it would be better.

Μια πολύ ωραία φωτογραφία του Βενιζέλου από των lefteris17 (www.airliners.gr (http://www.airphotos.gr))
http://www.airliners.gr/community/album_page.php?pic_id=11745

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/934/albumpicphpuh1.jpg

Πάρα πολύ όμορφη φωτογραφία :) Να καταθέσω και εγώ τη εμπειρία μου απο το Ελ. Βενιζέλος... Είχα τη ευκαιρία, για πολύ λίγο καιρό το 2001 να δουλέψω σε αυτό ως security, τη εποχή που ακόμα κάποια τμήματα του αεροδρομίου δεν είχαν ολοκληρωθεί, οπώς η τεχνική βάση. Θυμάμαι κύριως το δέος που προκαλούσαν τότε ( και ακόμα προκαλουν ) διάφορα τμήματα του αεροδρομίου, ειδικά οταν κάνεις τη σύγκριση στο μυαλο σου αυτού του αεροδρομίου με το παλίο... Για παράδειγμα, απο όσο ξέρω η τεχνική βάση είναι απο τις μεγαλύτερες στη Ευρώπη.. Σίγουρα διπλάσια σε μέγεθος απο τη παλία ( που και εκείνη δε ήταν μικρή ).

AIA to install solar panels

Την προώθηση εναλλακτικών μορφών ενέργειας για την ηλεκτροδότηση του Διεθνούς Αεροδρομίου Αθηνών ανακοίνωσε σήμερα ο Υπουργός Μεταφορών και Επικοινωνιών κ Μιχάλης Λιάπης.


Όπως ανέφερε ο κ. Λιάπης «Οι επιπτώσεις του φαινομένου του θερμοκηπίου είναι πλέον μέρος της καθημερινής μας ζωής και οφείλουμε όλοι μας να συνεισφέρουμε άμεσα, με όποιον τρόπο μπορούμε στην καταπολέμηση των κλιματικών αλλαγών. Στο πλαίσιο των αρμοδιοτήτων του Υπουργείου Μεταφορών και Επικοινωνιών έχουμε πάντα ως προτεραιότητα την εφαρμογή πολιτικών που βοηθούν στην προστασία του περιβάλλοντος.


Προχωρήσαμε σε νομοθετική ρύθμιση για την τροποποίηση της Σύμβασης Ανάπτυξης του ΔΑΑ προκειμένου να δοθεί η δυνατότητα παραγωγής ενέργειας από εναλλακτικές πηγές. Στόχος είναι να δημιουργηθεί ένα φωτοβολταϊκό πάρκο ισχύος 8MW, στη Νοτιοανατολική πλευρά του αεροδρομίου, σε άγονη περιοχή 60 χιλιάδων τ.μ. Η παραγόμενη ηλιακή ενέργεια θα καλύπτει περίπου το 30 % της ζήτησης ισχύος του αεροδρομίου. Πρόκειται για μια επένδυση του ιδίου του ΔΑΑ, περίπου 43 εκατομμυρίων Ευρώ, η οποία σήμερα είναι δυνατόν να χρηματοδοτηθεί και από τον Αναπτυξιακό Νόμο. Σύμφωνα με το χρονοδιάγραμμα το πάρκο να αρχίσει να λειτουργεί μέσα σ ένα χρόνο από σήμερα.

http://www.greekmoney.gr/news.asp?id=13130

Πάρα πολύ όμορφη φωτογραφία :) Να καταθέσω και εγώ τη εμπειρία μου απο το Ελ. Βενιζέλος... Είχα τη ευκαιρία, για πολύ λίγο καιρό το 2001 να δουλέψω σε αυτό ως security, τη εποχή που ακόμα κάποια τμήματα του αεροδρομίου δεν είχαν ολοκληρωθεί, οπώς η τεχνική βάση. Θυμάμαι κύριως το δέος που προκαλούσαν τότε ( και ακόμα προκαλουν ) διάφορα τμήματα του αεροδρομίου, ειδικά οταν κάνεις τη σύγκριση στο μυαλο σου αυτού του αεροδρομίου με το παλίο... Για παράδειγμα, απο όσο ξέρω η τεχνική βάση είναι απο τις μεγαλύτερες στη Ευρώπη.. Σίγουρα διπλάσια σε μέγεθος απο τη παλία ( που και εκείνη δε ήταν μικρή ).
Να είσαι καλά αδελφέ :), ενδιαφέρον αυτά που αναφέρεις για το αεροδρόμιο.

Ευχαριστώ :) Επίσης άλλο ένα χαρακτηριστικό που θυμάμαι είναι η απίστευτη πίεση που είχαμε για έλενχο στα πάντα.. Βλέπετε έπιασα δουλεία εκεί περίπου 1 μήνα μετά τη επίθεση στους δύδιμους πύργους ... :bash: ... ( λάθος εποχή ωρέ Καραμήτρο! :lol: ) Επίσης άλλο ένα χαρακτηριστικό που θυμάμαι είναι κάποιες πόρτες σε διάφορα κτήρια του αεροδρομίου που γράφανε στα Γερμανικά και στα Ελληνικά τι ήταν εκεί ( φάνταζομαι αυτό έχει να κάνει με τη "Γερμανική" καταγωγή του αεροδρομίου )

FlyGlobespan appear to have axed Athens to Glasgow.

We need a reliable airline to operate this service, with just three flights a week the route was carying something like 6000 passengers per month, great figures.

Hopefully Easyjet might launch the route, or FlyGlobespan relaunch for summer 2008.

FlyGlobespan appear to have axed Athens to Glasgow.

We need a reliable airline to operate this service, with just three flights a week the route was carying something like 6000 passengers per month, great figures.

Hopefully Easyjet might launch the route, or FlyGlobespan relaunch for summer 2008.

Are you sure those numbers are right? FlyGlobespan's biggest plane holds about 180 passengers. So 180 + 180 for each flight (come and go) is 360 passengers. Times 3 flights a week would be 1080 passengers. Times 4 weeks is 4,320 passengers. So your number of 6,000 seems a little off as it cant match the capacity they were operating at. And this number I got is assuming they used their biggest plane, and it was 100% full each way.

Are you sure those numbers are right? FlyGlobespan's biggest plane holds about 180 passengers. So 180 + 180 for each flight (come and go) is 360 passengers. Times 3 flights a week would be 1080 passengers. Times 4 weeks is 4,320 passengers. So your number of 6,000 seems a little off as it cant match the capacity they were operating at. And this number I got is assuming they used their biggest plane, and it was 100% full each way.

Hi, the numbers I'm refering to are when Air Scotland and FlyGlobespan operated this route.

Air Scotland had two flights a week in a single-class Boeing 757-200.

Since then Air Scotland have went bust, but Glasgow to Athens and Glasgow to Paris were they only two routes on there entire network that made money.

H maketa tou synedriakou kentrou pou apo to 2009 tha kosmei to xwro tou DAA "Eleftherios Venizelos":

http://www.aia.gr/UserFiles/File/4/121528_exhibition_centre.jpg

Wow!!!Prasinos..pou tin vrikes??exeis alles plirofories...?:banana:

Oles oi sxetikes plhrofories einai sto site tou aerodromiou kai sugkekrimena sto: http://www.aia.gr/pages.asp?pageid=858&langid=1

Exei kapoios prosexei an exei xekinhsei h kataskeuh tou synedriakou kentrou???