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Athens International Airport: Athens International Airport: A Case StudyA Case Study

Amedeo R. OdoniMassachusetts Institute of Technology

1.231J/16.781J/ESD.224J Airport Systems 1.231J/16.781J/ESD.224J Airport Systems –– Fall 2007Fall 2007

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AIA ChronologyAIA Chronology1975: Government decision to build new airport1977: Selection of Spata site1991-93: Tendering procedure, selection of

winner1994-96: Re-negotiation of contract (signed 6/96)1996-2001: Construction of new airportMarch 27, 2001: Inauguration and commencement

of operationsSept. 2001 – early 2003: Post-9/11 air transport

slumpAugust 2004: Athens Olympic Games

Project Financing* until Opening DayProject Financing* until Opening Day

2200 mioTotal Amount Invested66 mio (3%)Private Investors Loan

132 mio (6%)Private Investors Capital Share154 mio (7%)Greek State Capital Share

242 mio (11%)European Union Grants286 mio (13%)Airport Development Fund**308 mio (14%)Commercial Banks

1012 mio (46%)European Investment Bank

* In euros (2000)

**Airport passenger tax: ~90% of the revenue from Athens was allocated to AIA

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Athens International (ATH)

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AIA and the 2004 Olympic GamesAIA and the 2004 Olympic Games• New airport was one of the selling points

for getting 2004 Olympics to Athens• Olympics and new AIA critical in

accelerating improvements to regional transportation infrastructure:– Circumference highway (Attica Highway)– Coastal highway– Other highways– Metro (subway) extension to airport– Suburban railroad (to Central Rail Station)

September 2002

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Rail Projects

The 2004 Olympic Games• August 13 - 29, 2004 (Paralympics: 9/17-28) • Huge investment; gamble for Greek State • ~ 9 billion euros (~$13 billion)• Judged to have been very successful (events,

“country image”)• AIA played central role in Olympics: principal

and dominant gateway• Handled large volumes of traffic on critical days

(Opening and Closing ceremonies)• Necessitated some investments in capacity; mostly

addressed with existing infrastructure, good organization and additional staff (many volunteers)

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1. Main Terminal Building2. Satellite Terminal Building3. Western runway system4. Eastern runway system5. Baggage storage area6. Transportation station

7. Taxiway B additional a/c positions8. Taxiway C additional a/c positions9. Taxiway Z additional a/c positions10. Express Facility 11. Vehicle holding area

Olympic Games: Modifications (5Olympic Games: Modifications (5--11)11)

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Airside CharacteristicsAirside Characteristics• Two independent parallel runways (1,575

m separation, 4000x45 m)• Fully built taxiway system• Two taxiway bridges connecting East and

West parts• 89 aircraft stands (14 MTB, 10 Satellite, 65

remote)• Runway system declared capacity: 52

movts/hr, 2001-2004; 60 movts/hr, 2004-?• Peak hour traffic today ~55 movts/hr

Athens International (ATH)

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Main Terminal Building (MTB): Departures Level

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Main Terminal Building (MTB): Arrivals Level

Passenger TrafficPassenger Traffic

10.1 (est.)

5.64.511.53.6(7.1)(4.5)% Δ

16.6 (est.)

15.114.313.712.311.812.713.39.9Pax

200720062005200420032002 (new)

2001 (old + new)

2000 (old)

1995 (old)

Year

2006 statistics:• International 63.7%; domestic 36.3%• EU 73%; Europe, non-EU 12.5%; Asia+Middle East 7%; America 4.6%; Africa 2.9%• Schengen 68.8%; Extra-Schengen 31.2% (11.1% UK)• May – Oct (6 mos): 9.08 mio (60.2%)• Olympic Airlines 35.2%; Aegean 22.3%; Low-Cost Carriers 9.5%

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Commercial ConcessionsCommercial Concessions

• Retail, food and beverages, services, advertising space

• 42 concessionaires• 160 stores (8,900 m2 out of 200,000 m2 in

terminals)• 560 advertising spaces• € 44.2 mio AIA revenue in 2006

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Specialized Retail TeamSpecialized Retail Team

• Contracts• Data analysis• Strict quality

monitoring (1-5 scale)• Market surveys and

analyses• Annual marketing

plan

• Monitor passenger flows and queues

• Space optimization• Tenders/negotiations• Identification of new

opportunities• Risk assessment

Target GroupsTarget Groups

• Passengers (15.1 mio in 2006, 70%)• Non-passengers (6.8 mio in 2006,

30%)– Airport employees– Meeters– Greeters– Visitors– Business partners and visitors

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Access and Parking DepartmentAccess and Parking Department• Short-term parking• Long-term parking• Shuttle bus service to long-term parking• Executive valet parking• Tourist bus parking• 24-hour parking and road assistance

service• Airport railway station• Airport road system traffic management• Terminal curbside management

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Characteristics and PlansCharacteristics and Plans

High and high-medium (86%)

Medium (75%)Economic status

Yes (18 trips/yr)No (4 trips/yr)Frequent flyers

Passengers (94%), business travel (83%)

Meeters/greeters (78%)Purpose of visit

Long-termShort-term

Future plans:

• Upgrade of parking equipment

• Expansion of long-term parking lot (+2000 spaces in 2008)

• Multi-storey parking facility (+3000 spaces by 2011)

• Introduction of new parking products thereafter

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IT&T DepartmentIT&T Department

Master PlanningMaster Planning

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2006 Results: Munich and Athens2006 Results: Munich and AthensMunich

Pax 31 mioA/c movts 400,000Airfreight 225,000 t

Revenues € 753 mioEBITDA € 130 mioEAT € 52 mio

Athens15 mio191,000

120,000 t

€ 358 mio€ 166 mio€ 66 mio

Athens: Aeronautical revenue € 148.1 mio (41.4%)

Non-aeronautical revenue € 143.2 mio (40.1%)

Airport development fund € 66.2 mio (18.5%)