Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) represents a significant milestone in Greece’s modern infrastructure. Planning for a new airport began as early as the 1970s, with studies examining 19 potential locations before selecting Spata as the ideal site. The Greek government established Athens Airport SA in 1978 to advance the project, but development proceeded slowly until 1991.
The project gained renewed momentum in 1997 when Athens won the bid to host the 2004 Summer Olympics. This catalyzed the airport’s construction, with the facility completed in just 51 weeks at a cost exceeding €2 billion. Athens International Airport officially opened on March 28, 2001, replacing the aging Ellinikon International Airport, which had served the city for 60 years but had reached its capacity limits with no room for expansion.
Named after Eleftherios Venizelos, an influential Greek statesman and prime minister of the early 20th century, the airport was designed to meet modern aviation standards and accommodate Greece’s growing tourism industry. It played a crucial role during the 2004 Olympics, efficiently handling the influx of international visitors and showcasing Greece’s modernization efforts to the world.
ATH Stats and Quick Facts
- Official Name: Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (IATA: ATH, ICAO: LGAV)
- Opening Date: March 28, 2001
- Location: Between the towns of Markopoulo, Koropi, Spata, and Loutsa, approximately 20 km (12 mi) east of central Athens
- Size: Covers an expansive 16,000 acres (64.7 km²), making it one of the largest airports in Europe by land area
- Runways: Two parallel runways measuring 4 km (2.5 mi) and 3.8 km (2.4 mi) in length
- Passenger Terminals: Main Terminal Building and Satellite Terminal Building connected by an underground link
- Passenger Traffic: 31,894,511 passengers in 2024, representing a 13.20% increase from 2023
- January 2025 Traffic: 1,845,680 passengers, showing a 15.25% increase compared to January 2024
- European Ranking: 16th busiest airport in Europe as of 2024
- Regional Importance: Second busiest and second largest airport in the Balkans, after Istanbul Airport
Facilities
Athens International Airport boasts modern facilities designed to enhance passenger comfort and operational efficiency. The airport has two primary terminals:
Main Terminal Building (MTB)
- Three levels dedicated to arrivals, departures, and a food court with views of the eastern runway
- 144 check-in counters
- 14 jet bridges for direct aircraft boarding
- Divided into Hall A (for non-Schengen and non-European flights) and Hall B (for Schengen and domestic flights)
- Houses the majority of shops, restaurants, and services
Satellite Terminal Building (STB)
- Secondary terminal connected to the Main Terminal via an underground walkway with moving sidewalks
- Two levels: one for arrivals and one for departures
- Primarily handles low-cost carriers and charter flights
The airport features extensive commercial areas with over 150 shops and dining options throughout both terminals, collectively known as the “Airport Agora.” These include designer fashion outlets, duty-free stores, local Greek products, restaurants, cafés, and fast-food establishments.
Additional passenger amenities include:
- Banking and currency exchange services
- Free Wi-Fi (sessions limited to 45 minutes)
- Business lounges
- Children’s play areas
- Baby care rooms
- Pharmacies
- Prayer rooms for multiple faiths
- Luggage storage
- Shower facilities
- Phone charging stations
For vehicle parking, the airport offers:
- Short-term parking (P1 and P2 lots) with 1,357 spaces
- Long-term parking (P3 lot) with 5,802 spaces
- Designated motorcycle parking near P1
- Valet parking services
- Accessible parking for travelers with disabilities
The airport is also equipped with advanced baggage handling systems featuring 11 belt conveyors for luggage claim.
Airlines
Athens International Airport serves as a critical aviation hub connecting Greece to the world, hosting operations from approximately 66 airlines flying to 166 destinations across 57 countries. The airport functions as:
- Main base for Aegean Airlines, Greece’s flag carrier
- Hub for smaller Greek airlines and regional carriers
- Seasonal base for numerous international airlines
Major airlines operating at ATH include:
- Aegean Airlines
- Olympic Air
- Ryanair
- easyJet
- Lufthansa
- British Airways
- Air France
- KLM
- Emirates (which operates A380 flights to Athens)
- Qatar Airways
- Etihad Airways
- Delta Air Lines
- American Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- Scoot (offering direct flights to Singapore)
The airport experienced significant challenges during the Greek financial crisis (2009-2018), when many long-haul carriers either terminated service or switched to seasonal operations. However, since 2014, ATH has seen strong recovery and growth in airline service. International carriers have not only resumed flights but also increased frequencies, with Gulf carriers like Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways expanding their Athens operations significantly.
Ground Transportation
Athens International Airport offers excellent connectivity to downtown Athens and surrounding areas through multiple transportation options:
Metro
- Blue Line 3 of the Athens Metro connects directly to the airport
- Trains depart every 30 minutes
- Journey to central Athens takes approximately 40 minutes
- One-way fare costs €10
Suburban Railway
- Connects the airport to Athens Central Railway Station and other destinations
- Integrated with the metro system
- Same pricing structure as the metro service
Bus Services
- Four express bus routes connect the airport to greater Athens:
- X93: Links to intercity bus stations (KTEL Kifissos and Liosion terminals)
- X95: Runs between the airport and Syntagma Square (city center)
- X96: Connects to Piraeus port
- X97: Serves Elliniko metro station
- Buses depart frequently (every 15-20 minutes for popular routes)
- Fare costs approximately €6
- Regional KTEL buses connect to Rafina, Markopoulo, Lavrio, Kalyvia, and Keratea
Taxis
- Available at designated taxi ranks located at exit 3 of the arrivals level
- Fares to central Athens are regulated
- Journey takes around 30-45 minutes depending on traffic
Car Rental
- Multiple car rental agencies operate at the airport
- Parking facilities include two short-term lots and one long-term lot
- Free shuttle service connects the long-term parking to the terminal
Private Transfers
- Various companies offer pre-booked private transfers
- Options range from standard sedans to luxury vehicles and minibuses
The airport’s strategic location and well-developed road infrastructure, including the Attiki Odos toll highway, make ground access convenient for travelers arriving by private vehicle as well.
The Future of Athens Airport
Athens International Airport has ambitious expansion plans to meet growing passenger demand and enhance its position as a major European hub. The development strategy is structured in phases and aims to increase capacity substantially over the coming decades.
The airport’s master plan includes:
Phase 1 (Current Development)
- Expansion of the Main Terminal by approximately 81,000 square meters
- New passenger boarding areas with air bridges
- Extension of check-in areas with a new terminal facade
- New baggage sorting hall and expanded baggage claim area
- Additional commercial spaces and offices
- Development of a new aircraft parking apron for 32 aircraft
- Construction of two new servicing bridges
- New VIP terminal
- Expanded road network and multi-story parking facility
This phase began in 2018 but was temporarily halted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Work has now resumed with an investment exceeding €700 million and a targeted completion in the mid-2030s.
Phase 2
- Further enlargement of the existing terminal
- Extension of dining and retail areas
- Additional aircraft parking spaces and taxiways
- New passenger servicing bridges
- A new aircraft taxiing bridge over the highway
Phase 3 (Long-term Vision)
- Construction of a completely new terminal opposite the existing one
- To be activated when passenger traffic reaches 36 million and is projected to increase to 38 million within two years
- Located in the area currently used for long-term parking
- Continued expansion of aircraft parking areas and taxiways
- New runway taxi lanes
- Estimated completion by 2045
The full implementation of these three phases will increase Athens Airport’s capacity to approximately 50 million passengers annually, a significant jump from its current handling capability.
In addition to capacity expansion, Athens International Airport is committed to sustainability through its “ROUTE 2025” initiative, which aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2025. The airport has maintained carbon neutrality since 2016 and continues to invest in environmental management systems and renewable energy.
The development is being undertaken by a consortium of world-class architects and engineers, including firms like Grimshaw, Haptic, K-Studio, Arup, and others, who are focusing on integrating the new elements with the existing infrastructure while reflecting Greece’s rich cultural heritage. One notable feature will be the “northern oculus,” a circular garden set in a 24.5m-high atrium, providing a blend of indoor and outdoor environments with Mediterranean landscaping.
These expansion projects position Athens International Airport to enhance its role as Greece’s primary gateway and a significant European hub for decades to come.
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