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, the presence of doctors and other emergency personnel, as well as the dissemination of information for the maximum possible awareness.

Airport employees and crews are well aware of the warning factors that must be immediately reported to the Airport’s Health Authorities.

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:

• Entrance in the Main Terminal Building and the airport premises is permitted to ticketed passengers only. Exceptions exist for specific cases (escorted minors, escorted passengers with disabilities).
   
• The use of face masks is obligatory after entering the airport terminal; the mask will be kept throughout the passenger’s stay in the airport areas (Joint Ministerial Decision of May17^th, Gov. Gazette Bulletin 1869/Δ1α/ΓΠ.οικ.30612). Children under the age of 6 as well as those with respiratory problems are excluded. Passengers 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 also obligatory during boarding, as well as during the flight. 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 1.5 metres should be kept during all phases of the travelling processes on ground. Special signage is placed on floor surfaces alerting the public on this necessity, which is also communicated through airport screens and banners.
     
• 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, and supervise the implementation of the necessary measures (physical distancing and face masks).
   
• 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).
    
• Seating in all waiting areas has been re-arranged, in order to allow for minimum distances to be kept. It is recommended that one seat be left vacant next to each seated passenger. Families or couples travelling together do not have to keep this distance.
   
• The air-conditioning system in the airport facilities provides fresh, renewed, and top-down 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. International incoming passengers in particular are requested by the State Authorities  to fill in a special personal data form;  the State Authorities may decide to proceed with biological sample collection for Covid-19 tests. Until now, incoming international passengers are subject to a 14-day isolation / quarantine. Airlines are providing their passengers with the relevant information.

Relevant guidelines by the National Public Health Organization (EODY) can be found here: https://eody.gov.gr/en/covid-19/

There is temporary ban of entry to all non-EU citizens since 18/03/2020; the specific ban applies until 15/06/2020, as announced on 31/05/2020 by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority. Exemptions apply as per the Greek Government Gazette/B/916/17.03.2020. More specifically, exempted from the restriction are:

• Family members of EU citizens.
• Citizens of Schengen member states and their family members
• Healthcare professionals and health researchers designated to support the Hellenic National Healthcare System.
• Third country citizens who are long—term residents or long term visa holders of an EU or Schengen member state.
• Third country government members, diplomats, staff of international organisations, military personnel and humanitarian aid workers in the exercise of their duties.
• Passengers in transit
• Aircraft flight crew
• Non-EU or Non Schengen citizens travelling for imperative family or business reasons provided that the relevant authorization has been obtained by the Hellenic Consulate.

All bans and restrictions for the domestic flights in Greece have been lifted as of 25/5/2020.

By order of the Government of the Hellenic Republic, restrictions upon entry into the Hellenic Republic will apply as follows:

Phase 1 until 15 June

• All visitors are tested upon arrival and are required to stay overnight at a designated hotel.
• If the test is negative, then the passenger self quarantines for 7 days.
• If the test is positive, the passenger is quarantined under supervision for 14 days.

Phase 2 bridge phase 15 June to 30 June

ι. If your travel originated from an airport not in the EASA affected area list (https://www.easa.europa.eu/sd-2020-01/airports) then you are only subject to random tests upon arrival.
 

ιι. If you originate from an airport on the EASA affected area list, then you will be tested upon arrival. An overnight stay at a designated hotel is required.

• If the test is negative then the passenger self quarantines for 7 days.
• If the test is positive, the passenger is quarantined under supervision for 14 days.

No entry to the Hellenic Republic will be permitted to passengers not accepting the aforementioned requirements.

Exempted from the restrictions are:

1. Passengers in transit.

2. All aircraft flight crew

3. Persons on board of the following flights:

• State flights
• Sanitary flights
• Humanitarian flights
• Emergency flights
• Military flights
• Cargo flights
• Frontex flights

Airline operators shall ensure adherence to the above measures before boarding passengers.

For more information please visit https://www.mfa.gr/en/current-affairs/statements-speeches/greece-welcomes-the-world.html

• 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.

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.

The Health Check Authority takes control, for carrying out the preliminary health check and advises of further actions as per EODY guidelines. Should a transfer to a reference hospital be deemed necessary, this is effected by a properly equipped EKAV ambulance. 

Due care is taken for Passengers in proximity to the suspect cases. Cases of certain suspicion are hosted inside the dedicated Airport quarantine facility, in accordance with the decision of the Health Check Authority and until further transfer to a reference Hospital. 

The Health Check Authority takes control, carries out the preliminary health check and advises of further actions as per EODY guidelines. 

EODY takes control and provides instructions on the handling of such cases. In principle, seriously infected countries are prohibited from air transportation (flights) to/from Greek airports. Relevant announcements are made by the pertinent Authorities.  

Passengers must contact EODY in the four (4) digit line 1135 for further advice, otherwise the Airline or the ground handler employees must be notified for further action and notification to the Airport Health Authority. 

Τhe Sofitel Athens Airport hotel has temporarily suspended its operations. It is expected to re-open from 01/07/2020. For more information please click here.

There are no restrictions imposed for cargo transportation so far.

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

All Customs formalities will be effected online and, whenever the need arises, documents will be exchanged at a front desk at the entrance of B27. Working hours remain unchanged.   

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

Smoking in the Terminal Building is not allowed, and the designated smoking lounges are currently closed due to COVID-19 prevention measures. 

In the context of the Covid-19 preventive measures, airlines’ CIP lounges at the airport are currently closed.

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. Please note, that the flight schedule has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 situation. 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 at present. 

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 a interested parties may call either the Airport Call Center 210 3530000 or at KTEL Rafina master station at 22940 23440