The utilization of the 23 regional airports of Greece starts from Kalamata, with the Superfund putting on the gas for the airport “Captain Vassilis Konstantakopoulos”. The first steps are expected today and concern the publication of a tender for the recruitment of a technical consultant, who will design the appropriate utilization model. This was revealed yesterday by the CEO of the Hellenic Holdings and Property Company (EESYP), the so-called superfund, Grigoris Dimitriadis (pictured), speaking at the Economic Forum of Delphi.
In recent years, Kalamata airport has recorded impressive performance. For 2019, the last year before Covid-19, passenger traffic reached 336,000 passengers from 280,900 in 2018, showing an increase of 20.3%. The vast majority 310,000 were arrivals from abroad. In 2020, passenger traffic fell due to the pandemic to 87,280 passengers, while this year passenger traffic is expected to more than double compared to last year.
The rise of the tourist flow in the southern and southwestern Peloponnese, focusing on Costa Navarino, has played a decisive role in the high-end “flights”. The international tender for the concession of Kalamata airport is estimated to come on line in one and a half years.
What model of utilization will the small regional airports follow?
At the same time, various models are being considered for the utilization of the remaining 22 small regional airports that remain under the control of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). As stated yesterday, by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Costas Karamanlis, the possibility of creating airport clusters is on the table. However, other alternative scenarios are being considered, such as the long-term concession contract, according to the standards of “Eleftherios Venizelos” or the 14 regional airports, as well as the institution of the concession or the management contract, the so-called “management contract”, in which a private entity undertakes to provide management and operation services of regional airports for a fee.
Investment opportunities for the assets of the Superfund
During his presence at the Delphi Economic Forum, the head of ESSYP, Mr. Demitriadis, pointed out that the intention of the Superfund is to accelerate the modernization and better utilization of public companies in its portfolio, taking advantage of the excellent investment climate.
He explained that the portfolio of the Superfund includes a wide range of public companies, listed and unlisted, operating in many different strategic sectors of the economy. These companies have developed ambitious investment programs in which private funds will be invited to participate.
He stressed that it is important for the Superfund to play an active role and support its subsidiaries in order to offer upgraded services to citizens through a more customer-centric philosophy, to improve their financial position and to proceed with their investment plans. The role of the Superfund is to facilitate these investments and to solve any problems that arise along the way.
Latest News
Greek FinMin Says Digital Work Card Tackling Undeclared Work
Greece's recently launched digital work card aimed at tackling undeclared labor has already started to produce results, said Economy and Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis
MSC Cruises: More than 400 Visits to Nine Greek Destinations
MSC Cruises, a subsidiary of international shipping line Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A, will be sailing to Greek ports as of this month, expanding operations in the region year-round
Eurostat: Greece Among Cheaper Hourly Labor Cost Zones
In contrast, the countries that posted the highest hourly labor costs are Luxembourg (53.9 euros), Norway (51.9 euros), Iceland
GSEVEE: Economic Sentiment Indicator in Greece Down in Q2 2023
The drop follows a significant uptick in the ESI in the second half of 2022 (69.5 units) and a slight decline in the first half of 2023 (66.7 units)
Manpower Report: Sectors in Greece that Have Achieved Full Gender Equality in the Workplace
Greece surpasses this with 45%, showcasing progress but also room for improvement. Sectors like Consumer Goods and Services lead with 69% reporting full equality globally
Bank of America (BofA): Three Reasons Greek Economy Outperforms EC Average
BofA projects growth of 1.1% in 2024 and 1.7% in 2025, compared to forecasts for eurozone growth at 0.4%/1.1%, respectively
UniCredit: Greece’s Economy Set to Regain Momentum
This projection is based on the understanding that certain factors that hindered growth in the latter part of the preceding year, such as flood-related agricultural losses, abrupt adjustments in housing investments, and postponed public projects, were temporary setbacks
Council of the EU Adopts Environmental Crime Law
The law aims to improve the investigation and prosecution of environmental crime, to define new types of criminal offenses, and to harmonize penalties to individuals and legal persons
Banks: Changes in Transactions Due to Catholic Easter
In terms of financial obligations, those expiring on March 29 must be settled by March 28. Deposits made after March 28 will reflect in records starting from April 2. These alterations extend to payroll as well
EUROSTAT: Greece 2nd Place for Number of Asylum Apps in 2023
Approximately 1,048,900 non-EU citizens made first-time asylum applications for international protection in the EU, which was 20% higher than 2022