Greek Government Seeks to Upgrade 23 Airports via PPPs

Chios Airport. Photo © GTP

Drawing from the European Commission decision last week to simplify rules on state aid in order to facilitate public investments in airports and ports, the Greek government announced on Monday, that it had placed 23 regional airports under the jurisdiction of Greece’s yet-to-be-established Public Participations Company (EDIS).

Kalamata Airport. Photo source: ppel.gov.gr

The regional airports of Alexandroupolis, Araxos, Astypalea, Chios, Ikaria, Ioannina, Kalamata, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kastelorizo, Kastoria, Kozani, Kythira, Leros, Lemnos, Milos, Nea Anchialos, Naxos, Paros, Sitia, Skyros and Syros, which do not come under Fraport’s 40-year concession deal were initially the responsibility of Greece’s assets development fund, TAIPED.

With the decision, the government said it aims to prompt public-private partnerships (PPPs) towards the upgrade and modernization of the above mentioned airports similar to the management model applied at Athens International Airport.

According to the EC’s decision, EU member state governments will now be able to invest up to 150 million euros in existing regional airports that handle up to 3 million passengers per year without first having to undergo EU scrutiny and involvement.