An important step was taken regarding the tender for the concession project concerning the construction and operation of the New International Airport in Kasteli, Heraklion in Crete island. According to DG Comp, the project has been approved, allowing it to head for the Court of Auditors and consequently to the Greek Parliament for its final ratification.
According to estimates Phase 1 is due to begin by the end of the year and last for 5 years. This will bring us to the end of 2023, when it is expected to be released to commercial operation.
The concessionaire is Ariadne Airport Group J/V (consisting of GEK TERNA and the Indian GMR Airports Limited) with a 54% stake and the Greek State with 46%. The concession company will be holding the management of the new Heraklion Airport that, until today, is still second in Greece, in terms of passenger traffic, second only to Athens International Airport, «El. Venizelos».
The modern airport that will replace the existing and dated «N. Kazantzakis» Airport in Heraklion, will follow the highest construction standards. The total building area of 71,818 sq.m. will be bioclimatic and will be in architectural «harmony» with the environment,.
The airport will have 19 waiting lounges for the passengers, 2 fire stations, a police station, medical facilities, ground handling facilities and equipment, a bio-waste management unit, parking facilities with a capacity of, at least, 800 vehicles, spaces to serve at least 50 buses, 150 taxis and 20 mini vans as well as parking spaces for public transport.
Source: Ypodomes.com
Note: The last years (june, 2017) GMR Airports Limited will be the designated Airport Operator in the consortium for this project,» said a release from the airport company.
The scope of the project involves Design, Construction, Financing, Operation, and Maintenance & Exploitation of the New Heraklion Crete International Airport. The concession period for the Greenfield project will be 35 years including Phase 1 Construction of five years. This will be GMR Group’s second foray into Europe after having developed Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen airport.