GREECE. Fraport Greece has conducted the groundbreaking ceremony for a second passenger terminal at Thessaloniki Airport.
The Fraport subsidiary is investing about €100 million in the project in Greece’s second largest city.
The 34,000sq m terminal is scheduled for completion in two years. The investment also includes a refurbishment of the existing terminal (total floor space of 24,000sq m), the construction of a new fire station and an upgrade of its waste-water biological treatment unit.
Operational capacity will also be increased with more check-in counters (up +47%), a doubling of the security lanes, additional baggage delivery belts (up +75%), and a +50% increase in the number of terminal gates.
Major upgrade works taking place elsewhere at the airport as part of Fraport Greece’s development programme include reconstructing the runway and apron areas and installing a modern baggage handling and control system.
“Fraport is proud to present the new exciting vision of Thessaloniki Airport – our single largest infrastructure investment in Greece,” said Fraport Chief Executive Stefan Schulte. “Thessaloniki region has an amazing heritage and a dynamic future – which requires an airport fit for the future. Step by step, we are improving procedures, operations, services, connectivity and infrastructure.
“Our goal is to enhance the overall customer experience. We are highly committed. Together, with our partners and stakeholders, we are meeting the challenge – not only in Thessaloniki but also at the other regional airports.”
Commenting on Fraport Greece’s vision for the airport, Chief Executive Alexander Zinell said: “Today marks the dawn of a new growth era for Greece. There is no better place to start a new chapter than at this historic city.
“Thessaloniki’s newly emerging airport represents much more than the €100 million construction project – out of Fraport Greece’s total €415 million infrastructure investment for all 14 regional airports.
“Quite simply, our goal is to completely transform Thessaloniki Airport into a modern hub for the South Eastern Balkans.”