Privatization of Greek Airports, Ports Pick Up Pace?

The Elliniko project.

The privatization of Greece’s airports and docks, a subject of controversy over the past few months, is said to be proceeding full speed ahead, according to sources at the country’s public assets fund, local media reported on Thursday.

High profile projects awaiting the green light include the ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki, the country’s marinas and Hellenikon, Athens’ former airport complex.

For the first time after January elections, the country’s public assets fund, formerly known as TAIPED, met with Lamda Development, one of the bidders for 8-billion-euro project to develop Hellenikon.

Santorini Airport.

In the meantime, however, Frankfurt-based transport company Fraport said on Thursday that it still remains unclear if and when its deal to lease and run 14 local airports in leading tourist destinations will be completed.

The 1.2 billion euro deal with Fraport, initially set to close last October, came to a halt with the change of government in January, when authorities said they wanted to re-examine the terms.

“For the time being, it is uncertain if and when the matter will be concluded in view of the political and macroeconomic growth in Greece,” Fraport said in a statement on Thursday.