The National Development Fund announces that three (3) investment schemes expressed interest in the context of Phase A of the tender for the concession of the right to administer, manage, operate, develop, expand, maintain and exploit the 22 regional airports.
Specifically, the following schemes expressed interest (in alphabetical order):
• ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT S.A.
• Consortium GEK TERNA S.A. – GMR Airports Greece Single-Member S.A.
• Consortium FRAPORT AG – DELTA AIRPORT INVESTMENTS S.A.
After the evaluation of the submitted expressions of interest dossiers, the candidates who meet the prequalification criteria will be invited to participate in Phase B of the tender, which includes the submission of financial offers.
The main objective of the National Development Fund, beyond maximizing the financial consideration, is to ensure a high level of operation and maintenance services, in accordance with international best practices in the airport sector, leveraging the know-how and experience of the investors. At the same time, particular emphasis is placed on the upgrading and development of the infrastructure of the 22 regional airports, for the benefit of passengers, users and local communities.
The 22 regional airports, which are being utilized through a joint tender, are the following: Alexandroupoli, Araxos, Astypalaia, Ikaria, Ioannina, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kasos, Kastellorizo, Kastoria, Kozani, Kythira, Leros, Limnos, Milos, Naxos, Nea Anchialos, Paros, Sitia, Skyros, Syros and Chios.
The who is who of the “suitors”
GEK TERNA S.A.
One of the largest Greek business groups with a leading presence in the sectors of infrastructure, concessions, energy and construction. The Group has an extensive concessions portfolio in Greece, including road axes, PPP projects and airports, while it participates in the development and operation of the new Heraklion International Airport in Kasteli, Crete, in a consortium with GMR Airports Ltd. It is one of the largest private investors in infrastructure projects in the country.
GMR Airports Greece Single-Member S.A.
Part of the Indian airport group GMR Airports and one of the largest private airport operators worldwide. It manages and develops airports in India and internationally, serving more than 130 million passengers annually. In Greece, it participates in the development and operation of the new Heraklion International Airport in Kasteli, Crete, in a consortium with GEK TERNA S.A. Apart from India and Greece, the group has a presence in Indonesia and the Philippines.
ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT S.A.
The company manages Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos,” the largest airport in Greece and the country’s main air gateway. It was founded in 1996 as a public-private partnership (PPP) and holds the right to develop, operate and exploit the airport until 2046. Since 2024 it has been listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. AIA is the operator of Athens airport, which ranks among the most important airports in Southeastern Europe, with activities extending to aviation, commercial and development services.
FRAPORT AG
German airport management group and one of the leading airport operators worldwide. It manages Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe’s most important air hubs, while holding stakes in approximately 30 airports internationally. In Greece, through Fraport Greece, it has undertaken the management, operation and development of 14 regional airports, to which Kalamata Airport is also expected to be added soon. The group has many years of expertise in airport operations, commercial exploitation, infrastructure management and aviation services.
Delta Airport Investments S.A. (Copelouzos Group)
One of the largest Greek infrastructure and investment groups, with a leading presence in the sectors of energy, transport and concessions. The Group has significant experience in the development, financing and management of major infrastructure projects, while it participates in the airport sector through the Fraport AG - Copelouzos Group consortium, which manages 14 regional airports in Greece, as well as through holdings in Athens International Airport (AIA) and in the concession of Kalamata International Airport. It ranks among the country’s most important private investors, with an extensive portfolio of strategic infrastructure in the transport and energy sectors.