THESSALONIKI AIRPORT ASSISTANCE

History Thessaloniki Airport

The airport was first established as an airfield during the First World War,as part of the allied war effort on the Macedonian front.

There were numerous airfields at the time, including Little Mikra, Big Mikra (which became the current international airport), and the major military airfield of Sedes. The first international flight to Thessaloniki landed at the Little Mikra air field, and government efforts at encouraging the growth of civil aviation saw the start of construction of a purpose-built civilian airport at the present location in 1938. Works were temporarily abandoned due to the Second World War and the airport opened to civilian traffic in 1948. Major works were undertaken after the war. The accession of Greece to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation saw NATO-funded investments such as the expansion of the 10/28 runway to 2,440 metres (8,010 ft) and the inauguration of a new terminal building in 1965. Damage to the tower caused by the 1978 Thessaloniki earthquake meant it needed to be torn down, and a new tower, still in operation, was built. Modernisation works were undertaken in the late 1990s, as part of the celebrations for Thessaloniki being European Capital of Culture in 1997. In 1993 the airport took the name Makedonia (Greek: Μακεδον╬»α, Macedonia).

The operational aspects of the airport were privatised in 2015. Fraport AG/Copelouzos Group joint venture and the state privatisation fund agreed to the privatisation of the airport operations, and 13 other Greek airports, in December 2015. Fraport Greece will operate the airport for 40 years starting on 11 April 2017. It pledged to invest €400 million ($451.88 million) on the various airports, including a refurbishment of the existing facilities at Thessaloniki as well as the construction of a second terminal. Construction on the new terminal began on 19 September 2018 and finished in February 2021, three months ahead of schedule. Refurbishment works other than the terminal included the installation of an upgraded baggage handling system, the construction of three additional baggage reclaim belts, the connection of the wastewater treatment plant to the municipal service, the construction of a new airport fire station, and the construction of two new access control gatehouses to the previously unguarded apron.Fraport expects passenger traffic to increase by 48% by 2026 as a result of its investment.

Transfers Thessaloniki Airport

All visitors will find comfortable travel options to and from the airport via buses and taxis, as well as a wide choice of rental cars at Thessaloniki Airport.

Passengers will find transit bus service provided between Thessaloniki Airport and the city center of Thessaloniki. The bus service runs every 30 minutes and the trip to the city center takes approximately 40-50 minutes. This is a non-stop bus service to and from the city center, which includes bus route no. X1 “KTEL – Airport” (day service) and bus route no. N1 “KTEL – Airport” (night service).

There is no direct train connection from Thessaloniki Airport to the city center of Thessaloniki. However, once passengers get to Thessaloniki by bus, taxi, or car there are excellent railway connections from the Central Railway Station to take you to your further destination.

Furthermore, taxis are available at Thessaloniki Airport 24 hours a day, every day of the week. The taxis at the airport are all metered taxi services and are available outside the passenger terminal building. A taxi trip from Thessaloniki Airport to the city center takes approximately 30 minutes depending on traffic. The cost of the journey is normally between 20-30 Euro.

Why should you use JODOGO Airport Assistance?

• Avoid long lines and save time: JODOGO's Meet and Greet services help you bypass long queues at the airport, saving you valuable time and ensuring a seamless travel experience.
• Have a stress-free travel experience: JODOGO’s experienced and professional staff will handle every detail of your airport experience, allowing you to relax and enjoy your journey.
• Get personalized attention: JODOGO’s staff provides personalized attention and assistance, ensuring all your needs are met with care and efficiency.
• Enjoy a variety of services: JODOGO offers a variety of services to meet your needs, including Meet and Greet, porter assistance, fast-track check-in and security, and lounge access.
• Benefit from competitive rates: JODOGO offers competitive rates for its services, making it an affordable option for travelers. Enjoy 24/7 support—JODOGO is always available to assist you with your travel needs.
• Experience a smooth and efficient airport experience: JODOGO's staff is trained to deliver a smooth and efficient airport experience for every traveler.
• Feel confident and secure: JODOGO's knowledgeable and experienced staff ensures you are always in good hands.
• Relax and enjoy your trip: With JODOGO's assistance, you can relax and enjoy your journey, knowing your airport experience is fully taken care of.