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The detailed planning developed for the best and most secure levels of service to the Olympic Family and the general public travelling to and from Athens International Airport during the Olympic Games period, was presented today by the Airport Management, at a Press Conference held within the brand new terminal railway station of the airport. The Minister of Transport & Communications, Mr. Michalis Liapis, honoured the Press Conference with his presence in the speakers' panel, whereas the Ministry's Secretary General, Mr. Ioannis Golias, and the Governor of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Panagiotis Manousos, also participated in the panel.

From today's Press Conference on "Athens International Airport - Olympic Games 2004".From right to left : Dr. Yiannis Paraschis, Deputy General Manager AIA, Mr. Alfred van der Meer, CEO AIA, Mr. Michalis Liapis, Minister of Transport and Communications, Professor Kostis Vaitsos, Chairman of the Board of Directors AIA, Mr. Yiannis Golias, General Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Mr. Panagiotis Manousos, Governor, HCAA.

The Airport Company presented to the Media representatives the estimated figures relating to the passengers expected to visit Greece during the Olympic Games period, as well as the estimated flight numbers, focusing especially on the peak days and the special conditions prevailing during the above period, were specifically pointed out.

According to the figures available to date, passengers traffic is expected to rise to 2 million during the coming August, i.e. a 33% increase against the same period last year, whereas flight movements are expected to rise to 20,600, presenting a 17% increase compared to August 2003.

Aiming at the best and most secure facilitation of the Olympic Family, while preserving the high levels of service provided to date to the general travelling public, Athens International Airport has proceeded with the planning and materialisation of a detailed business plan, including a series of measures, such as:

• Considerable investment in building facilities, with the materialisation of over 30 construction projects, the largest of which are the Terminal Railway Station, the General/Business Aviation Terminal, and the Express Terminal for the Olympic Family.
• Investments in overlay projects aiming at the infrastructure enhancement of all basic operations of the airport, e.g. 28 new check-in counters, 4 new passenger lounges, and new retail and food & beverage outlets
• Establishment of "local rules" by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority for the smooth coordination of flights, safeguarding the airport's capacity limits.
• Additional human resources reinforcing the airport's staff, and implementation of a special internal "Golden Ambassadors" programme, within the framework of which Athens International Airport's administrative staff will be supporting the passenger & terminal services, for the facilitation of the increased numbers of passengers.
• Development of an airport Operations Plan for the Olympic Games, including special procedures for the 75,000 Olympic Family members, in cooperation with the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games "Athens 2004" (Olympic accreditation at specially developed facilities, check-in at the Olympic Village, processing through the Express Terminal Building etc.).
• Welcome and hospitality programmes for passengers, with new aesthetical/design elements and cultural activities, new food & beverage outlets, dedicated booth for passengers providing information regarding the Games and the city of Athens, in cooperation with "Athens 2004" and the GNTO, aiming to making the airport experience not only convenient and secure but also pleasurable.
• For the facilitation of the passenger flows, Athens International Airport has proceeded with the installation of additional security check points (from 39 to 53), whereas AIA security staff will be increased by 250 (from 750 to 1000 staff).
• The Airport Management pointed out that the operations plan developed, is the result of the coordination and cooperation of a large operational community including all involved parties (AIA, HCAA, Hellenic Police, Customs Authority, Organising Committee for the Olympic Games "Athens 2004", Airlines, Ground Handlers, and all other members of the airport community), as well as the integration of the Sydney experience in the planning of "Eleftherios Venizelos".

AIA's CEO, Mr. Van der Meer, made special reference to the integrated teamwork of all members of the airport community: "The planning, as well as the materialisation of the programme, has required the coordinated and close cooperation of all parties involved, right from the start. The Olympic preparation has been a unique operational challenge for the entire airport community".

In his address, AIA's Chairman of the Board of Directors, Professor Costis Vaitsos, expressed the commitment of the management and staff to provide the best and most secure accommodation to the Olympic Family. Lastly, AIA's Chairman stressed that "the objective of Athens International Airport is to maintain the internationally recognised high levels of service to the general travelling public during the period of the Olympic Games".

The material of the Press Conference "The Preparation for the Olympic Games" is available here.