Gov't says Fraport will be paid for proven problems in airports

Deputy Economy Minister Stergios Pitsiorlas conceded on Friday that the government is in the process of examining a list of problems that Fraport Greece identified and resolved at the 14 regional airports it took control of in spring, adding that if the German-led consortium can offer proof of the problems the state will pay any compensation that is due.

Responding to a report in German magazine Der Spiegel late on Thursday that Fraport will seek damages of 70 million euros due to the poor state of the airports it received, Pitsiorlas told Skai TV  that if Fraport can supply evidence of problems then the Greek side will have to honor the concession contract and undertake its financial responsibilities.

Pitsiorlas - the former head of state sell-off fund TAIPED, which arranged for the concession - sought to play down the issue, avoiding any reference to the damages the...