Fraport

Score one for the “power of the media”, or rather, “the power of the high-profile media persona via social media”!

Less than two weeks after noted journalist Hugo Dixon lambasted the state of the (men’s) restroom at the Mykonos airport, Proto Thema returned to the “scene of the crime” over the weekend on the jet-setting Cyclades holiday island.

The Greek Government’s wavering on the concession of the 14 regional airports to a Greek-German joint venture Fraport-Slentel is developing into a major political issue.

The first privatization of the Greek government could be facing problems before it even gets off the ground. German company Fraport, which was officially granted the 14 regional Greek airports Monday, is finding it hard to raise investment funding due to the high risk involved, while the contractor is pressing the Greek government for guarantees regarding the concession.

The Greek government on Aug. 18 approved a 1.23 billion euro ($1.36 billion) deal for Germany's Fraport-Slentel consortium to run 14 regional airports, publishing the decision in its official gazette.

The first privatization of the SYRIZA-ANEL government is a reality, as the concession of 14 Greek regional airports to German Fraport for 1.23bln Euros has been finalized. The Greek government reached the decision upon the recommendation of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (TAIPED) after the relevant tender ended 3 months ago.

Greece will move rapidly to privatize its ports, regional airports and its power grid operator under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreed with its international lenders. 

According to the 29-page MOU, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters, Greek privatization proceeds, excluding bank shares, are expected to total 6.4 billion euros between 2015 and 2017. 

By Vangelis Mandravelis

Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis expressed his optimism on Thursday in Parliament about the completion of the privatization of the 14 regional airports for which German firm Fraport is the preferred bidder, saying that the process will soon be completed.

By Vangelis Mandravelis

Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis expressed his optimism on Thursday in Parliament about the completion of the privatization of the 14 regional airports for which German firm Fraport is the preferred bidder, saying that the process will soon be completed.

By Agnes Lovasz and Paul Tugwell

Greece will continue with efforts to privatize the country's largest port and regional airports as it seeks ways to attract investment for other state assets, Economy Minister George Stathakis said, in a government concession in talks with its creditors.

By Vangelis Mandravelis

A possible deal between the government and the country?s creditors will signal the restart of a series of privatization projects, according to a top official at state sell-off fund TAIPED. Seven projects that have been frozen will get a new lease of life.