During the Nazi occupation of Greece, Kalamaki airfield, as it was known then, was used as a Luftwaffe base. Compare prices from hundreds of major travel agents and airlines, all in one search. View our latest valuations here. If you're stuck at the Athens International Airport on one of those dreary layovers, there actually is plenty to do to occupy your time. Greece's prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis wearing a helmet and plastic glasses stands at the old airport as bulldozers demolish an abandoned building in Athens, Friday, July 3, 2020. Following the sale of the airline to the government, financials started to deteriorate. International; Flight Tracker Landing in Athens Arriving Passengers Meeting Passengers Transfer Information Hotel at the Airport Tourism Services Currency Converter Car Rental Athenspotlighted. Athens International Airport – For directions, airport location, local weather and the very latest information from Athens International airport with Skyscanner. Pictures of Athens old International Airport (East Terminal), taken on June 2, 2002, before the area is transformed into congress centres and venues for the 2004 Olympic Games. Even from the 70’s it was obvious that the airport was nearing full capacity and Athens needed a newer airport, further away from the city center. Those venues though were mostly left abandoned after the 2004 Olympics. Olympic eventually ceased operations in 2009. When the airport was in Elliniko there were two terminals, East for international flights and West for Olympic airways which was the only company doing domestic flights in the old times. If you’re driving around this area south of Athens, you may be surprised to discover that the old terminal is still sign-posted, including for international, domestic and arrivals halls. As of 2019, it is the 26th-busiest airport in Europe. During the Nazi occupation of Greece, Kalamaki airfield, as it was known then, was used as a Luftwaffe base. Latest M&A news in Airlines. Abandoned Athens airport to become Greece's largest coastal resort Save Hellenikon was once Athen's main airport Credit: Getty Hugh Morris, Travel news editor 27 July 2016 • 11:54am. On the taxiway, you could see remnants of what operations looked like when the airport closed. Eleftherios Venizelos airport finally opened on March 27th 2001. Inaugurated in 2001, the Athens International Airport, also known as Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, is the most important airport in Greece with over 21 million passengers a year. Image of coast, aircrafts, airline - 59564263 But no one is departing. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). It began operation on 28 March 2001 (in time for the 2004 Summer Olympics). Create an alert to follow the executive moves at Athens International Airport. Find the best deals on flights from Mehrabad International Airport (THR) to Athens International (ATH). At that time, the Greek government pledged to turn Hellinikon into the largest metropolitan park of Athens area, with a small portion only sold to private developers. It was transferred over to Aerolineas Argentinas for a few years, before returning to Greece to continue flying for Olympic, bearing the name Olympic Eagle. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Download all free or royalty-free photos and vectors. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For tickets and cards check here. Follow. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. © 2020 THE POINTS GUY, LLC. Pre-registration for refugees starts at Athens old airport. Trains run every 30 minutes, 7 days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. ... Airport information Baggage Services Children Facilities Health … νών «Î•Î»ÎµÏ…Î¸Î­ÏÎ¹Î¿Ï‚ Βενιζέλος», Diethnís Aeroliménas Athinón "Elefthérios Venizélos"), commonly initialised as AIA (IATA: ATH, ICAO: LGAV), is the largest international airport in Greece, serving the city of Athens … Includes eligible pick-up and delivery services. The Old Athens Airport Is Now Home To Thousands Of Desperate Refugees. Athens International Airport S.A. (AIA) was established in 1996 as a Public-Private Partnership with a 30-year concession agreement. The new Athens airport is one terminal, no problemo.. You can find out of date references which are for the old airport at Elliniko, which was closer to Athens and in that case the Domestic terminal was the otherside of the runways from the International terminal and that did require a taxi. Earn 2x total points on up to $1,000 in grocery store purchases per month from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. In 1997, the city's new airport moved a step further towards reality when Athens was announced to be the host of the 2004 Olympic Games. But this temporary use is supposed to change soon. In 1956, the Greek government sold the airline to Aristotle Onassis, the shipping tycoon and later husband of Jackie Kennedy, tce. Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, is the largest international airport in Greece, serving the city of Athens and region of Attica. Its construction begun in 1938 but was cut short due to World War II. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Valuable aircraft parts, including the engines, were removed prior to storing at Hellinikon. Athens International Airport Athens airport opened in 1938 and closed in 2001 after a new airport was built for the Olympics. Its construction begun in 1938 but was cut short due to World War II. The unique aspect of this abandoned airport is that several aircraft of the Olympic Airways fleet are still parked on site. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. While good planning can avoid some airport-related delays, sometimes your only option is that dreaded long layover. 9 February 2017. Now, the abandoned jets at the former Athens airport still wear the six Olympic rings in their full livery. CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners. In the summer of 1979, at the age of just 18 years, my aviation buddy Rob Hemelrijk and I travelled by train from Amsterdam to Athens, to spot and photograph the bustling aviation activity at old Ellinikon airport.I just had bought my first camara, a Fujica 605N plus a second hand tele-lens and made my first steps of photographing airliners. Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on orders over $12 for a minimum of one year on qualifying food purchases with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. ... enact massive spending cuts and tax hikes to repay emergency loans it has been receiving from European nations and the International Monetary Fund. Athens has, of course, a new airport, which retains the ATH three-letter code. This Olympic 747, registered as SX-OAB, first flew in 1973, making it more than 45 years old. Facing the Aegean sea, you can see an Olympic Airways Boeing 747-200, Boeing 727 and Boeing 737. Despite the lack of care, the 747 still looks as impressive as ever — and its condition doesn’t appear too bad, despite the lack of any TLC. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. There was also a charter terminal for a few years where the old American military base used to be. Your flight tracker will remain visible throughout your visit in AIA website. The Olympic terminal still retained its original sign with 2001 — the year the airport closed its doors for the last time — still showing. Olympic Airways, which later became Olympic Airlines, was the Pan Am of Greece. Welcome to Athens International Airport 9 February 2017 - Ethel Dilouambaka Athens’ former airport, converted into a sports park where the 2004 Summer Olympics venues for the canoe/kayak slalom, field hockey, baseball, and softball were housed, now serves as a major refugee camp. A RED VENTURES COMPANY. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel. Get to Athens International Airport from anywhere in the world by train, bus, car and more. This is Hellinikon International Airport, the abandoned former airport of Athens, which is now frozen in time to almost two decades ago. Plakentias - Athens International Airport), which connects the Athens airport with the city center. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker. Much of the airport site is off limits to the public, but I was given special access to take a closer look at the former hub of Olympic Airways. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. El. Your Athens International Airport stock images are ready. Add to Plan. Also on display was signage about how to make it from the airport to the city. Or arriving. 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide, eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. The trip from/to the Airport to Syntagma station (Athens center) lasts 40 minutes. Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Activate by 12/31/21. British Airways flew a variety of aircraft to Athens, including the now-retired Lockheed Tristar, which flew to Hellinikon during the late 1980s. Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. 5 years ago | 21 views. In 1973, Onassis sold the airline to the Greek state. This visit was a unique experience, and it’s hard to believe that this derelict, vast site was once a prominent player among world airports. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Stored near the 747 was an abandoned Hellenic Air BAC One-Eleven. Sorry to jump in, but we always had one airport. But this temporary use is supposed to change soon. I would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The airport has ceased its operation since March 28, 2001, but the memories are still … Please view our advertising policy page for more information. It replaced the old Ellinikon International Airport. 1:04. After the end of occupation, a second runway and later, in 1969, a second terminal were constructed. Much of the airport site is off limits to the public, but I was given special access to take a closer look at the former hub of Olympic Airways. The Athens International Airport at Spata is the gateway airport for most of Greece. Imagine living outdoors in a tent when it's 100 degrees. What Will Become Of Athens' Old International Airport? Athens’ former airport, converted into a sports park where the 2004 Summer Olympics venues for the canoe/kayak slalom, field hockey, baseball, and softball were housed, now serves as a major refugee camp. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Things to do near Athens Intl Airport, Athens on Tripadvisor: Read traveler reviews of the best places to visit & must-see attractions near Athens Intl Airport (ATH) in Athens, Greece. The location was chosen early on but the construction begun only after Athens was given the 2004 Olympics. After its closure, the western part of its runways was redeveloped. Find quality accommodation and discover the best things to do and see. The company went on to face serious financial trouble from the 1980s, mostly due to management problems. Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. Aeromexico has filed for bankruptcy protection Aeromexico (posted on Jul 1, 2020).Bain Capital has announced the acquisition of Virgin Australia (posted on Jun 29, 2020).HDC - Hyundai Development Company has announced the acquisition of Asiana Airlines (posted on Jun 15, 2020). The old airport of Athens View on Google Maps Elliniko International Airport (also spelled Hellinikon) was the first, and for all its 60 years of operation, primary airport of the Greek capital. Photo about View of the abandoned airport of Ellinikon, how was the international airport of Athens, Greece for sixty years up until 2001. For example, a stack of inflight magazines that were ready to be loaded on to an Olympic jet can be seen heat-worn on the tarmac. *Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. Until then, Hellinikon airport will remain an abandoned site. On April 6, 1957, Olympic was born. See, Thailand becomes first country to ban eating and drinking on domestic flights due to COVID-19, Here are all the ways you can earn bonus points with Chase cards right now, Got $2 million to spare? Playing next. With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. From what I could see, the main terminal buildings were the most damaged areas of the airport site. On the same day, an Olympic Airways Boeing 737 bound for Thessaloniki was the last flight to depart Hellinikon. A major airport for the city of Athens was planned for many years as a replacement for the 60-year-old Ellinikon International Airport. Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Like its 747 neighbor, the aircraft also had its engines and other valuable parts stripped from it. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. Still standing tall was the air traffic control tower, which once controlled the busy flow of aircraft departing and arriving at Hellinikon. Built in 1938, just 4 miles south of Athens, it was soon taken over by the Nazis only to serve as a Luftwaffe base from 1941. Athens International Airport (AIA) opened in March 2001 and greatly impacted the Greek aviation industry by becoming one of the most modern, safe and functional airports in the world. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. This is Hellinikon International Airport, the abandoned former airport of Athens, which is now frozen in time to almost two decades ago. New Athens International Airport Michael Cook 2019-06-11T07:31:24+00:00 Project Description The development of the new Eleftherios Venizelos $2.8 billion “Greenfield” airport sited in the town of Spata, Greece (approximately 30km from Athens). The main terminal hall was designed by famed architect Eero Saarinen, who also designed the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC, and the famed TWA Hotel at New York’s JFK Airport. Browse more videos. An Olympic Complex was constructed with venues of Canoe/Kayak, Hockey, Baseball and other sports. Mitsotakis inaugurated the start of construction work on a long-delayed major development project at the prime seaside site of the old Athens airport. The approach to the terminal was eerie and resembled an apocalyptic movie set, with graffiti-emblazoned decrepit structures still standing. Those plans failed though due to the economic crisis that followed and today’s government is seeking an investor that will develop the site commercially. See the Metro timetable to the airport here. Athens Airport. Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Report. We value your privacy To give you a personalised experience we (and the third parties we work … Brenna Edmonds. Athens International Airport | 5214 seguidores en LinkedIn. The Points Guy will not sell your email. Under the hot Mediterranean sun and behind an array of overgrown bushes, trees and tumbleweed, a sign written in both Greek and English points passengers of the past to “Departure Buildings”. Its construction begun in 1938 but was cut short due to World War II. The airline served international routes across the globe, including the important Greece-Australia market, beginning Boeing 707 operations between Athens and Sydney twice weekly via Bangkok and Singapore. And while the brand lives on as Olympic Air today, as a regional subsidiary of Aegean Airlines, the airline is no more. If you're flying to or around Greece, chances are you will be going through Athens airport at one point or another.Athens International Airport is often abbreviated as AIA but the actual airport code is ATH. The “safe bag system” ad was still on display, showing pricing in Greek drachmas, which stopped circulating in 2002, replaced by the euro. However, inside the terminal, original stickers for British Airways Euro Traveller and Club Europe check-in — economy and business class respectively — were still visible. Parts of the airport could still be distinguished as— entrance to the facilities, luggage storage building and the departures door. The old airport of Athens(LGAT) closed. Olympic Airways, the Greek national carrier used the West Terminal for its flights while all other airlines operated through the newly constructed East Terminal. 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