Athens International Airport – Big Expansion Plans

Key.Aero
Lee Cross
23 Feb 2026

For almost 25 years, Athens Airport has been the gateway to Greece. In an exclusive interview, Lee Cross chats to Ioanna Papadopoulou, director of communications and marketing, to see how the airport is gearing up for its biggest expansion to date

AEP was based on AIA’s Master Plan, which had been put forward prior to the pandemic. Papadopoulou explained: “We had all of the licences, the approvals, everything we needed to make a start on the first phase of the expansion. Then the pandemic came, and everything stopped. So we had to put a hold on our plans.

“We are now ready to start again,” said Papadopoulou. “Initial work has already begun on a new multistorey car park and some expansion of the northwest apron, where a number of aircraft positions are being constructed. The main bulk of the work will begin in 2026 and, by 2029, we expect 50% to be complete. By 2032, we aim to be able to accommodate 40 million passengers annually and have the capability of expanding this to 50 million.”

The ambitious €1.3bn expansion project is being carried out by the Anemos consortium, led by architectural firms Grimshaw, Haptic and Athens-based K-Studio, which will work alongside engineering companies Arup, Leslie Jones and Triagnol.

The centrepiece is the 81,000m² extension and reconfiguration of the main and satellite terminals. Two dramatic oculus atriums will be built: the north, featuring a Mediterranean garden, and the south, with terraced seating and landscaped areas.

Both have been designed to increase natural light and bring the outside into the heart of the building, to highlight the landscapes around the Greek capital and create a locally inspired terminal. 

There will also be a new dedicated Schengen facility in the satellite terminal, to streamline flows for non-Schengen passengers, a growing part of the airport’s long-haul and transfer traffic...

Athens International Airport - big expansion plans - Key.Aero - 23 Feb 2026