Athens’ abandoned airport
For about six decades Hellenikon was Athens’ only airport, but it closed down in 2001 to make way for a newer, more modern airport before the city hosted the 2004 Olympic Games. After languishing for years as a wasteland of crumbling terminals, Hellenikon is set for resurrection as a glitzy coastal resort. Lamda Development, controlled by Greece’s powerful Latsis family and leading a consortium of Chinese and Abu-Dhabi based companies, has big dreams for the area since signing a 915 million euro deal for a 99-year lease in March.
- Plants grow outside the east terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- An entrance to the arrivals area is seen at the east terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- A broken mirror is seen inside a women’s toilet at the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- Olympic Airways travel tags are seen behind a desk inside the west terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- A board is seen inside a deserted hall at the west terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- The east terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon, is seen June 16, 2014. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- An Olympic Airways airplane stands on the premises of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- Olympic Airways airplanes stand on the premises of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- A limousine service stand is seen outside the east terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- A plane is seen through the window of an auxiliary control tower at the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- Photographs from the former Athens airport, Hellenikon, are seen inside a hall where a museum for Olympic Airways was set up, after the closure of the Hellenikon airport south of Athens June 16, 2014. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- An auxiliary control tower is reflected in a mirror at a deserted cafe in the east terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- A view of the east terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- The Olympic Airways logo is seen on a building at the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- A lounge is seen at the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon on June 17, 2014. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- An auxiliary control tower stands in front of the east terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- Olympic Airways airplanes are seen at the premises of the former Athens International airport of Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- A runway is seen at the former Athens International airport of Hellenikon on June 17, 2014. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- Stray dogs walk outside the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- A corridor leading to a passenger gate is seen in the east terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- A hall is seen in the west terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon on June 16, 2014. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- A burnt out arrivals hall is seen at the west terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- A view of a burnt building in the west terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- A “no-smoking” sign is seen inside a deserted hall at the east terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon on June 16, 2014. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- Boarding passes are seen inside a hall at the west terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- A photograph of an Olympic Airways aircraft is seen inside a hall which was used as a museum for the carrier, after the closure of the Hellenikon airport south of Athens. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- Documents are seen in an office at the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)
- An announcement board is seen inside a deserted hall at the west terminal of the former Athens International airport, Hellenikon. (REUTERS/Yorgos Karahalis)