Spetsai Airport

The closure was primarily due to economic reasons and a lack of use. The airfield was privately built and maintained by the shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos for his personal convenience. As his use of the property and the nearby private island of Spetsopoula decreased over time, the significant cost of maintaining the runway, facilities, and operational readiness was no longer justified. It was not a commercial airport, so its closure was not tied to public demand but rather the private owner's decision to no longer fund its upkeep.

The airport site is currently abandoned and in a state of complete disrepair. The asphalt runway is still clearly visible from satellite imagery, but it is cracked, weathered, and overgrown with vegetation. There are no remaining functional airport facilities. The land is not used for any official purpose and is considered derelict infrastructure. It is unfenced in some areas and is sometimes used by locals for walking or jogging, but it has no formal or commercial function.

Spetsai Airport was constructed in the 1960s by Stavros Niarchos. Its primary purpose was to provide rapid and private access for himself, his family, and his high-profile guests to his residence on Spetses and his private island, Spetsopoula. The airport was a symbol of the jet-set era in Greece, hosting the private aircraft of royalty, celebrities, and business tycoons who visited the Niarchos family. It featured a single asphalt runway approximately 800 meters (2,625 feet) long, capable of handling small propeller aircraft, turboprops, and helicopters. The airport never handled scheduled commercial flights and was exclusively for private general aviation.

There are no official or credible plans to reopen Spetsai Airport. The obstacles to reopening are substantial: the runway is too short for most modern commercial aircraft, it would require a complete reconstruction to meet modern safety standards, and the initial investment would be immense. Furthermore, the island of Spetses is well-served by frequent high-speed ferry and hydrofoil services from the port of Piraeus and the nearby mainland town of Porto Heli. The proximity of the private Porto Heli Airport (LGHL) on the mainland, which serves helicopters and small private jets, also reduces the need for a separate airfield on Spetses itself. While there have been occasional local discussions or wishful thinking about the potential for tourism, no concrete proposals have ever been put forward by the government or private investors.