Athens Hellenikon International Airport

The airport was closed and replaced by the new, larger, and more modern Athens International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos' (IATA: ATH, ICAO: LGAV). Hellenikon had become obsolete for several reasons: its single runway system was operating at full capacity, its location within the dense urban sprawl of Athens prevented any further expansion, and it caused significant noise pollution for surrounding residential areas. The construction of the new airport was essential to handle increasing air traffic and to serve as a modern gateway for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

The site is currently undergoing one of Europe's largest urban regeneration projects, known as 'The Ellinikon'. Immediately after its closure, parts of the airport grounds were redeveloped to host venues for the 2004 Athens Olympics, including the canoe/kayak slalom course, the field hockey stadium, and the baseball and softball fields. For more than a decade following the Olympics, much of the site remained derelict and abandoned, with some buildings being used temporarily to house refugees during the 2015 migrant crisis. The Ellinikon project is now transforming the entire 6.2 million square meter area into a master-planned city-within-a-city, featuring a massive coastal park, luxury residences, hotels, a shopping mall, a marina, office buildings, and an integrated casino resort. Key historical elements, including the Saarinen-designed East Terminal building, are being preserved and repurposed as part of the new development.

For over 60 years, Hellenikon was the sole international airport serving Athens and the primary gateway to Greece. It was originally built in 1938. During World War II, it was used by the Luftwaffe. After the war, from 1945 to 1991, the Greek government leased the airport to the United States Air Force, which operated the Hellenikon Air Base alongside the civilian terminal. It was the main hub for Greece's national carrier, Olympic Airways, founded by Aristotle Onassis. The airport was famous for its two terminals: the West Terminal, used exclusively by Olympic Airways, and the East Terminal, designed by renowned Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, which served all other international carriers. Note: Its historical IATA code was ATH (which was transferred to the new airport) and its ICAO code was LGAT. The provided ICAO code GR-0098 is a non-standard local identifier.

There are zero plans or prospects for the airport to reopen. The land has been irrevocably committed to 'The Ellinikon' urban development project. The aviation infrastructure, including most of the runways and taxiways, has been or is being demolished to make way for parks, roads, and new buildings. Its aviation function has been fully and permanently transferred to Athens International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos'.