The development of Greece's 22 regional airports has been a focus of Dodecanese MP Manos Konsolas through initiatives and parliamentary interventions since New Democracy took office.
The group includes airports on Leros, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Astypalaia, Kasos and Kastellorizo.
While the tender was being prepared, Konsolas met the management of Greece's Growthfund in November 2023. He argued that a single investor should make a binding commitment to develop all 22 airports together, covering both high-traffic and low-traffic facilities.
Otherwise, he warned, investment interest would concentrate on airports with large passenger numbers, leaving smaller airports such as Kasos and Kastellorizo without an interested investor.
His proposal was accepted and the tender provides for a single concession.
Konsolas also proposed tax incentives for a strategic investor undertaking development at remote island airports such as Karpathos, Kalymnos, Kasos, Kastellorizo and Astypalaia, where low traffic limits investment interest.
The first phase of the tender has now been completed. Three strong investment groups have progressed to the second phase, which is intended to advance development of all 22 airports, transform their facilities and increase their capabilities.
The upgrades are also expected to support tourism and economic development on the islands.
Financial bids will be submitted during this second phase and the successful bidder selected.
