COVID-19 USEFUL INFORMATION

In the context of the protective measures in place to safeguard the passengers’, the airport community employees’ and the wider public’s health and safety, Athens International Airport is adhering to the Authorities’ instructions, and to official guidelines. 

We are constantly working closely with the National Public Health Organization (EODY), whilst all instructed measures are diligently implemented. 

Specific instructions have been issued by EODY for passengers and airport employees across Greece to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. These can be found at the EODY site: https://eody.gov.gr/en/covid-19/. 

More specifically, at Athens International Airport, as in all Greek airports, a cluster of measures including, among other, flight monitoring procedures, as well as the dissemination of information for the maximum possible awareness.

Airport employees are constantly updated on the most recent developments regarding COVID-19 and the Authorities instructions for the avoidance of the widespread of COVID-19. 

• Specific measures currently in place:

In accordance with the guidelines of the national health authorities, the meticulous observance of rules for hand washing / sanitizing and for respiratory hygiene, the use of face masks, physical distance keeping, very good cleaning and sanitizing of spaces and surfaces, especially of those frequently hand touched, are the basis for the protection of passengers and employees at Athens International Airport. Passengers travelling on domestic or international flights #athensairport, should bear in mind the following:

• Τhe use of face masks is recommended in all indoor airport areas. Please note that, as per the Hellenic National Public Health Organization, face mask filtering respirators with one-way valves should not be used. Passengers using masks should also be aware that they may be asked to temporarily remove their mask during security and identity check processes.
   
• The use of face masks is recommended during boarding, and during the flight in order to achieve a higher level of protection. In that case, it is recommended to change the face mask every 4 hours or in the case of the face mask being wet or soiled. Make sure you have enough quantity for your entire trip.
   
• Airport employees are equipped with all personal protection items (masks, gloves, sanitizing liquids), which they are using at all times during their work.
   
• Hand sanitizer dispensers are available in over 300 spots at the airport, including bathrooms and restrooms, for use by the passengers during the departure and arrival processes.
   
• Polycarbonic panels are used for additional protection during the provision of services conducted in direct contact with employees (ticket desks, information counters, etc.).
   
• Keeping distances is mainly a behavioural measure for passengers and airport staff, and a distance of 1 meter is recommended to be kept during all phases of the travelling processes on ground when feasible. 
   
• Facilities, machinery, equipment and frequently touched surfaces in the airport areas, are cleaned and sanitized regularly with special materials.
   
• Airport, airlines and ground handlers’ staff are providing information to passengers with regards to hygiene measures and to the relevant procedures applied in the airport, as well as on board.
   
• Information and guidelines regarding hygiene measures are communicated through a constant flow of public announcements (PAs are regularly made through the airports public announcement system), as well as through visual content on the airport screens and relevant signage in all areas.
   
• Passengers are encouraged to select e-services options prior to their departure to the airport (web check-in) as well as within the airport areas (web check-in, self check-in, baggage tag printing, drop off baggage, e-parking).
• The air-conditioning system in the airport facilities provides fresh, renewed, and top-down non-recycled air, in order to limit the horizontal air circulation. Furthermore, the air is filtered for dust, viruses and bacteria or fungi, through special filters. 
   
• For the protection of Passengers with Reduced Mobility, all the above measures are meticulously applied, while, in addition, rules for priority boarding, avoiding lengthy stay in closed areas including the airport’s PRM facility, are implemented. PRM wheelchairs and Ambulifts are cleaned and disinfected regularly, before and after their use, in order to secure the maximum possible protection of passengers against Covid-19.
   
• You must comply with the health protection measures in force at the airport – these measures are constantly communicated through visual material and repeated audio announcements.  

The above measures are subject to the continuous evaluation as to their effectiveness and will be modified as deemed necessary and instructed by the competent State Authorities. 

According to joint Ministerial decision issued by the Hellenic Republic, all measures related to the corona pandemic are lifted. All passengers on domestic flights regardless of airport of destination no longer require  valid certificate of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19, or evidence of a negative test result from a PCR/Rapid test.

Τhe use of face masks is recommended in all indoor airport areas. Passengers using masks should also be aware that they may be asked to temporarily remove their mask during security and identity check processes. Passengers are advised to keep distance from other people and avoid congestion in terminal facilities. They are obliged to comply with the instructions of the permanent and temporary staff of the airports or airlines who are responsible for the terminal supervision, queue management and assistance of passengers, in order to maintain the necessary distances and to ensure controlled embarkation-disembarkation and queues, in order to avoid congestion.

According to joint Ministerial decision issued by the Hellenic Republic, all measures related to the corona pandemic are lifted. All arriving passengers into Greece regardless of country of origin, no longer require completed passenger locator form, valid certificate of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19, or evidence of a negative test result from a PCR/Rapid test.

Τhe use of face masks is recommended in all indoor airport areas. Passengers using masks should also be aware that they may be asked to temporarily remove their mask during security and identity check processes. Passengers are advised to keep distance from other people and avoid congestion in terminal facilities. They are obliged to comply with the instructions of the permanent and temporary staff of the airports or airlines who are responsible for the terminal supervision, queue management and assistance of passengers, in order to maintain the necessary distances and to ensure controlled embarkation-disembarkation and queues, in order to avoid congestion.

Transit passengers, transferring in Athens from international to international flight, are not tested against Covid-19 and are not required to display a negative molecular test result (PCR) or vaccination certificate upon arrival in Athens.

For further information you may  contact your airline or the Greek General Secretariat for Civil Protection at 213 – 15 10 100 or email at generalsecretary@civilprotection.gr / generalsecretary@gscp.gr.

For information regarding the minimum connecting time between flights or any additional information regarding your transfer procedure, you need to contact the airlines involved. Detailed contact information of airlines is provided in our website at the following link: https://www.aia.gr/traveler/travellers-info/airlines/. Alternatively, you can contact with the Airport Call Centrer at (0030) 210 3530000 or by email at airport_info@aia.gr.

Passengers can travel from/to the airport 24 hours a day.

Escorts are allowed at any time of the day or night, provided that they do not exceed the maximum number of passengers allowed when traveling in private vehicles or taxis.

For additional information regarding the above, you may call the Consumers’ Line at 4digit telephone number 1520, the Hellenic Police , or  the Greek General Secretariat for Civil Protection at 213 – 15 10 100 or send an email at generalsecretary@civilprotection.gr / generalsecretary@gscp.gr.

Protective measures in effect due to Covid-19 may vary depending on the destination. It is highly recommended to contact the airline you are going to travel with, as airline operators have to ensure that passengers are duly informed before boarding and that they meet the requirements of traveling according to relevant measures in effect at the destination country at the time of travelling. Detailed contact information of airlines is provided in our website at the following link: https://www.aia.gr/traveler/travellers-info/airlines/

Additionally, you could visit the destination airport website for Covid-19 related info or contact the Embassy/Consulate of the country you are going to visit. Latest and up-to-date information about travel measures and entry requirements per country, during the COVID-19 pandemic, is available in the IATA Timatic “COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map”.

• The cleaning services have been intensified across the airport facilities.
• The routine cleaning materials have been replaced with fast acting disinfectants.
• Cleaning and sanitizing of frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles, elevator buttons, handrails, escalators etc., has been intensified.
• In the event of an emergency involving a virus suspicious case, special disinfection or spraying is carried out, in accordance with the Health Authorities instructions.

kindly be advised of the availability to perform diagnostic test for SARS-COV-2 (Covid-19) at Athens airport, using both methods, Molecular & Rapid Antigen test, at the specially configured testing point of Athens Medical Center, located on the “Arrivals” level, between exits 2 and 3. However, the testing point at the airport should be used as a last resort due to unpredictability of traffic flows and possible increased waiting times.

The testing point operates from 06:00 to 22:00. You may proceed for testing without an appointment.

Due to increased attendance, longer waiting times might be expected thus, passengers are kindly requested to timely attend the testing point at the airport for their molecular (PCR) or Rapid-antigen test. As far as  Rapid tests are concerned, it is highly recommended to plan for at least 3 hours available time prior to your departure. 

Payment options available at the testing point include the use of POS machine accepting debit / credit card or cash.

Registration & payment procedure for the Molecular(PCR) test can be also accomplished electronically through the platform https://payments.iatriko.gr/. Details and important information are included in the section “Frequently Asked Questions” of the platform.

Test results for molecular (PCR) test will be delivered to you, by email, within approximately 24 hours. Response time varies according to sampling time or volume of tests.

Test results for rapid (Antigen) test are available by email ,15-20 minutes after completion of sampling. For any further information, please contact Athens Medical Center representatives at airport@iatriko.gr.

Instant hand sanitizers have been installed in all toilets, in all the departure gates, and in more than 300 locations within the terminals.

In order to ensure coordinated effort to maintain business continuity while preventing the spread of the disease, AIA has established a COVID-19 Response Plan that maps contingencies for sustaining a minimum level of service.  

The Response Plan is complemented by a series of actions decided upon by the Emergency Response Team that has been set up for the specific purpose.  Actions are decided upon daily developments, as the situation unfolds.  

According to a recent EU announcement, sanitizing/disinfectant hand gels are exempted from the liquids and gels regulation, and their transportation in hand luggage is allowed in containers of over 100 ml.

Passengers must contact EODY in the four (4) digit line 1135 or the Greek General Secretariat for Civil Protection at 213 – 15 10 100 for further advice.

There are no restrictions imposed for cargo transportation.

Access of shippers, consignees and Customs Brokers to Airport Customs’ s premises (Building 27) is restored

All Customs formalities can be effected normally. Working hours remain unchanged.   

Τhe Sofitel Athens Airport hotel operates normally. For more information please click here.

Various Cafes/Snack Bars are available throughout the Terminal Building.

The shops at the Retail Park of the airport operate normally.

Smoking in the Terminal Building is not allowed. Designated smoking areas are available at the following passenger areas :

• Departures Intra Schengen (opposite departure gate B12)
• Departures Intra Schengen (opposite departure gate B19)
• Departures Extra Schengen (opposite departure gate A8)
• Arrivals Intra Schengen (opposite baggage belt 6)
• Arrivals Extra Schengen (before entering in the Passport Control area)

All airlines’ CIP lounges operate daily according to the flight schedule. For further information kindly contact your airline. 

Ιf you wish to cancel your reservation and get a refund, please dial +30 210 3534260. 

The Airport Call Centre operates on a 24hr basis, tel. +30 210-3530000. Once in the Terminal areas, you may visit our Airport Information desks, located on the Arrivals & Departures Levels, operating on a 24hr basis. For any information regarding the schedule of the airlines and/or specific flights, you should contact your airline. 

All public means of transport (Bus, Metro, Suburban Rail and regional buses) are in operation. 

More information regarding specific routes is available through the following links:

• Bus services: http://www.oasa.gr/
• Metro services: http://stasy.gr/index.php?id=1&no_cache=1&L=1
• Suburban Rail Services: https://tickets.trainose.gr/dromologia/
• Regional buses: For schedule details all interested parties may call either the Airport Call Center 210 3530000, KTEL Rafina master station 22940 23440 or KTEL Markopoulo master station 22990 40738.