Athens Airport: Your Gateway to Meet Greece

Athens International Airport, officially named “El. Venizelos” and commonly known as AIA, is the largest and most well-known airport in Greece. It is also the busiest aviation hub in the Balkans and one of the top airports in Europe in terms of passenger traffic. Located 33km (20.5 miles) from Athens city center, in the Spata area, it serves as the main base for Aegean Airlines and a focus airport for several budget carriers.

El. Venizelos Airport opened in 2001, replacing the old Ellinikon International Airport. Named after Eleftherios Venizelos — a notable Greek politician and prime minister who greatly influenced modern Greek history — the airport was built in preparation for the 2004 Olympic Games. Since then, passenger numbers have continued to grow steadily. In 2024, Athens Airport welcomed more than 31.8 million passengers, surpassing its pre-pandemic levels.

The airport offers a wide range of facilities, efficient services, and even cultural attractions. It houses the Acropolis Exhibition — a small museum featuring artifacts discovered during construction — and a dedicated exhibition on Eleftherios Venizelos himself. Additionally, art collections and cultural events are frequently hosted throughout the airport. Overall, ATH Airport stands out as a modern, award-winning, and passenger-friendly gateway to Greece.

Transportation

Public Transport, Buses, Taxis, Private Transfers & Car Rental
Athens Airport provides various transfer options to reach the city and surrounding areas, including airport buses, metro lines, taxis, private transfers, and car rental services.

Airport Name: Athens International Airport
IATA Code: ATH
ICAO: LGAV
Location: Spata, Athens, Greece
Time Zone: Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+3)
Map: Athens Airport on Google Maps

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Athens Airport’s History

Athens Airport opened in 2001 and was named after Eleftherios Venizelos, a key Greek statesman who played an important role in advancing aviation in the 1930s. The airport is operated by Athens International Airport S.A. (AIA S.A.), with ownership divided between the Greek state (55%) and private investors.

Plans for a new airport began as early as 1970, as the old Ellinikon International Airport could not accommodate the growing passenger traffic. After considering several locations, Spata was selected as the most suitable site. Construction was delayed several times and only resumed in the 1990s, with AIA S.A. officially established in 1996. The new airport was built largely to support the influx of visitors for the 2004 Olympic Games and officially began operation on March 28, 2001.

Today, Athens International Airport ranks as the busiest airport in Greece and the 16th busiest in Europe. It has two runways, two terminal buildings (a main and a satellite terminal), and can handle large aircraft such as the Airbus A380.

Athens Airport’s Layout

ATH Airport consists of two terminals — the Main Terminal and the Satellite Terminal — connected via an underground walkway with moving walkways for convenience.

  • Main Terminal: Spread across three levels. One is dedicated to dining and shopping, while the other two serve Arrivals and Departures. It includes two Halls: Hall A (for non-Schengen and non-European flights) and Hall B (for domestic and Schengen flights).
  • Satellite Terminal: Used mainly during peak tourist seasons, featuring separate Arrivals and Departures levels.

Flights to and from Athens Airport

Athens Airport operates daily flights connecting the Greek capital to numerous domestic and international destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. Major airlines include Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air, both of which are based at AIA. Other carriers such as Sky Express and Ryanair also maintain operations at the airport.

Our Tip: Gates A and B are located in the Main Terminal, while Gates C are in the Satellite Terminal.

About

Connecting Passengers at ATH Airport

What documents do you need to fly from Athens International Airport? Overall, the following documents are required for air travel:

  • boarding pass
  • ID/Passport (depending on the departure country and the destination)
  • Visa (for some countries)
  • proof of vaccination (for specific destinations)
  • extra documentation may be required (e.g., when traveling with a minor, ESTA (US), etc.)

Luggage at Athens Airport

Luggage rules and restrictions apply based on the type of baggage:

  • Hold Luggage: Hold luggage is subject to weight restrictions. They vary depending on the airline and fare class. Additionally, each airline has its own policy regarding bulky luggage and prohibited items.
  • Hand Baggage: There are special restrictions concerning the weight and size of hand baggage (carry-ons) to ensure they fit in the aircraft’s overhead compartments. Moreover, strict rules and limitations apply to prohibited and controlled items.

Airlines Operating at Athens Airport

Athens International Airport is listed among the busiest airports in Europe. Therefore, Arrivals and Departures from Athens Airport are numerous on a daily basis, especially during peak travel seasons. Moreover, all the major airlines, as well as subsidiary and low-cost air carriers, are present at El. Venizelos Airport. Unsurprisingly, ATH Airport is a home base for Aegean Airlines, the Greek flag carrier, and for Olympic Air. Moreover, it is a key hub for other, smaller airlines.

The Necessary Documents

What documents do you need to fly from Athens International Airport? Overall, the following documents are required for air travel:

  • boarding pass
  • ID/Passport (depending on the departure country and the destination)
  • Visa (for some countries)
  • proof of vaccination (for specific destinations)
  • extra documentation may be required (e.g., when traveling with a minor, ESTA (US), etc.)

Contact Information

  • Official Name: John F. Kennedy International Airport
  • Address: Queens, New York, 11430, U.S.A.
  • Phone: +1 (718) 244-4444
  • Website: www.jfkairport.com

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