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Athens International Airport

A wide shot of the Parthenon and surrounding buildings in Athens, Greece.

About Athens International Airport

Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, often referred to as Athens Airport or initialised as AIA is the main international airport of Athens. The airport is Greece's largest and busiest airport, and is the 27th busiest airport in Europe serving over 28 million passengers in 2023. (According to the AIA Passenger Traffic Development Report 2023) The airport serves the region of Attica, which includes the city of Athens.

The airport was built and completed in 2001 to replace the former Athens Allinikon International Airport due to no room for further growth. Despite passenger numbers and flights from the airport being affected by the Greek government-debt crisis, 2014 saw a strong recovery which has continued to increase since.

It is the hub airport for Aegean Airlines, Ellinair, Ryanair and Sky Express. In addition, it is a focus city for Astra Airlines, Ellinair and Volotea.

Facilities

The airport facilities are still relatively new and modern, especially when compared to other airports in Greece. They are simple yet plentiful, with 24-hour restaurants, art installations and even a museum to keep you entertained.

Facilities Include:

  • Free 45 minutes WiFi
  • Post Office
  • Baby changing and feeding facilities
  • Children's Play Area
  • Food & Drink options
  • Grocery Store
  • Luggage Storage & Lockers
  • Medical Services and Pharmacy
  • Mobile Charging
  • ATMs
  • Duty-free shopping
  • Showers
  • Art in the airport
  • Permanent Museum

Lounges Include:

Goldair Handling Lounge:
Passengers who are flying to Schengen or extra Schengen areas can use this airport. It offers fast lane services through security, meaning passengers can spend more time in the comfortable and luxurious airport lounge. Includes TVs, phones, newspapers, WiFi, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and conference facilities.

Skyserv Melina Merkouri Lounge:
This airport lounge includes drinks, children's play area, conference facilities, WiFi, TVs and a great place to wait for your flight. Access via a lounge pass or membership program.

Swissport Lounge:
Passengers can relax before their flight in this airport lounge which offers comfortable chairs, complimentary refreshments and free magazines and newspapers. Access via a lounge pass, meaning that anyone can access it without having to be flying a certain class.

Terminals

Main Terminal:
The main terminal mainly serves flights within the Schengen region, but also some non-Schengen flights. The terminal has 144 check-in desks, 14 jet bridges and 11 conveyor belts for luggage.

Satellite Terminal:
The Satellite Terminal is accessible from the Main Terminal via an underground link. This terminal has 10 jet bridges and is used by airlines such as Ryanair, Easyjet, Norwegian, Transavia, Brussels Airlines and Scoot.

Airlines that fly to Athens International Airport:

Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, airBaltic, Air Canada Rouge, Air China, Air Europa, Air France, Air Serbia, Air Transat, Alitalia, American Airlines, Arkia, ASL Airlines France, Astra Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Aviolet, Blue Air, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Croatia Airlines, Cyprus Airways, Delta Air Lines, easyJet, easyJet Switzerland, EgyptAir, El Al, Ellinair, Emirates, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Finnair, Gulf Air, Iberia, Iberia Express, Israir Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Lauda, Lufthansa, Middle East Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Oman Air, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, Saudia, Scandinavian Airlines, Scoot, Sky Express, Smartwings Poland, Swiss International Air Lines, TAROM, Transavia, Transavia France, TUIfly Belgium, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International Airlines, United Airlines, Vueling, Wizz Air

How to get to Athens International Airport

By Road

You can access the airport when driving via the Attiki Odos toll highway from Athens. Once closer to the airport, follow street signs to the airport. Once there, there are plenty of parking options for you to use at the airport.

By Public Transport

There are buses which connect the airport to the city of Athens. These are X93, X95, X96 and X97. In addition, there are regional bus services which connect the airport to Rafina, Markopoulo, Lavrio, Kalyvia and Keretea. The airport is also connected to the metro system via Line 3 (Blue).

By Rental Car

Passengers wishing to hire a car can do so from the number of hire service companies that operate at the airport including Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz.

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