Fraport threat to put off works at Thessaloniki airport

The Fraport-led consortium's threat to abandon the operation of 14 regional airports in Greece is forcing the government to postpone works to upgrade Makedonia Airport.

A senior Transport Ministry official confirmed to Kathimerini that the government is considering a six-month suspension of the work on a second runway at the airport, located some 13 kilometers from the center of Thessaloniki, to ensure Makedonia's unhindered operation over the summer season.

Sources familiar with discussions over the last few days concerning the biggest privatization project to date in Greece explain that it is not just the timetable of the delivery of the airports by February that is under threat, but also the entire project.

If work at Makedonia Airport started today, the existing runway would have to shut down for most of the tourism season as it will be crossed by the new 3.5...