SAAE On AIA’s High Charges

The luxurious status of the most expensive airport in Europe must end, according to the Hellenic Association of Airline Representatives (SAAE) in regards to Athens International Airport’s (AIA) high aviation charges.

In a press release, SAAE welcomed Prime Minister Yiorgos Papandreou’s recent announcement on the abolition of aircraft landing fees and stay dues at all Greek airports this summer and a 50 percent reduction in the winter.

However, the association stressed that the airport that once again was excluded from cutting costs unfortunately was Athens International Airport, due to the agreement between the Greek Government and the private consortium (led by German company Hochtief Aktiengesellschaft).

“Τhe time has come for the government to renegotiate the agreement it has with the private consortium that is holding Athens and its tourism captive,” SAAE President Dinos Frantzeskakis said.

The Athens-Attica Hoteliers Association also supported the renegotiation of the airport’s current contract as “Eleftherios Venizelos continues to be the most expensive airport in Europe even in times of a great crisis.”