Athens
International Airport
The Greek gateway, and the parking base behind every island trip. Two long runways, Category 9 cover, Level 3 slots, and the place the aircraft waits while the passengers are on Mykonos.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 2 September 2026
The Airport
Athens at a glance
Athens International, officially Eleftherios Venizelos, carries the ICAO code LGAV and the identifier ATH. Two parallel runways of 13,123 and 12,467 feet at 308 feet elevation, about 20 miles east of the city at Spata, with ICAO Category 9 fire cover.
It is IATA Level 3 slot coordinated with mandatory handling, and it is the mainland base that makes the island fields workable.
The Role
Where the aircraft waits
Mykonos and Santorini restrict aircraft to about 40 minutes on the ground in season. The aircraft that drops passengers on an island almost always repositions to the mainland, and Athens is where it usually goes. A Greek island charter is, operationally, an Athens operation with an island leg attached.
That makes Athens slots and Athens parking part of every summer island plan, not just trips to the capital. Our guide to Greece airport parking and alternatives covers the mainland options when Athens itself is tight.
Operating
Slots, handling and the two names
Athens is coordinated at IATA Level 3 through the Hellenic slot coordinator and every general aviation movement needs an allocated slot, requested early in July and August. Handling is mandatory. Fire cover is Category 9 and Jet A-1 is available.
Athens International and Eleftherios Venizelos are the same airport. We previously ran two guides under the two names; this page replaces both and the old URLs redirect here.
History
Built for 2004
The airport opened on 28 March 2001, replacing the old Ellinikon airport on the coast south of the city, which closed the same day and is being redeveloped. It was built with the 2004 Olympic Games in view and named for the statesman Eleftherios Venizelos.
Two parallel runways and a large general aviation apron were part of the design from the start, which is why it absorbs the island overflow as well as it does.
Nearby
Athens and the Greek fields
Greece is an Athens operation with islands attached. Choose the island by destination and plan the parking on the mainland.
LGMKMykonosLGSRSantoriniLGSKSkiathosLGZAZakynthosLGKLKalamata
LGPAParos NationalLGSOSyrosLGSYSkyrosLGMGMegaraLGELElefsis Air BaseLGTTTatoi
Mykonos and Santorini for the Cyclades headline islands, both with 40 minute ground limits in season. Skiathos and Zakynthos for the Sporades and the Ionian. Kalamata for the Peloponnese and Costa Navarino. Paros, Syros and Skyros for the smaller islands. Megara, Elefsis and Tatoi are military fields near Athens with little or no civil access.
Airport guides & index
Questions
Athens, answered
Can private jets use Athens International?
Yes, and it is the natural gateway to Greece. Two parallel runways of 13,123 and 12,467 feet, ICAO Category 9 fire cover, full customs, and a general aviation apron. It is IATA Level 3 slot coordinated and handling is mandatory, but capacity for private traffic is far better than at the islands in summer.
Why does Athens matter for an island trip?
Parking. Mykonos and Santorini limit aircraft to about 40 minutes on the ground in season, so the aircraft that drops passengers on an island almost always repositions to the mainland to wait. Athens is where it usually waits. A Greek island charter is in practice an Athens operation with an island leg attached.
Does Athens need a slot?
Yes. Athens is coordinated at IATA Level 3 through the Hellenic slot coordinator, and general aviation movements need an allocated slot. Outside the summer peak this is routine; in July and August it needs requesting early. Handling is mandatory.
How long are the runways at Athens?
03R/21L is 4,000 metres, about 13,123 feet, and 03L/21R is 3,800 metres, about 12,467 feet. Field elevation is 308 feet. Nothing in business aviation is constrained by the runways here.
Is Athens the same airport as Eleftherios Venizelos?
Yes. Athens International Airport is officially named for Eleftherios Venizelos, the statesman, and both names refer to the same field at Spata. We previously ran two separate guides under the two names; this page replaces both.
Is ground handling mandatory at Athens?
Yes, through one of the handlers on the general aviation apron. It is arranged alongside the slot.
Do you need a permit to fly a private jet into Greece?
For EU and most third-country private and charter operations no separate landing permit is needed beyond the slot at coordinated airports, but customs, immigration and the handling arrangement must be in place, and the Hellenic authorities expect the slot to be respected precisely. Non-EU commercial charter may require operating authorisation; we confirm by registration.
Athens or a direct island flight?
Direct to the island if the aircraft and the slot allow, with the aircraft repositioning to Athens to park. Via Athens with a connection if the island slot cannot be had, which in high summer is common. Our guide to Greece airport parking and alternatives covers the mainland options.
When was Athens International built?
It opened on 28 March 2001, replacing the old Ellinikon airport on the coast south of the city, and was built for the 2004 Olympic Games. Ellinikon closed the same day and is being redeveloped.
How far is the airport from the city?
About 20 miles east of central Athens at Spata, with the Attiki Odos motorway and a metro line to the centre. Allow an hour by road in traffic.
What time zone is Greece in?
Eastern European Time, EET in winter and EEST in summer, which is UTC+2 and UTC+3 respectively.
Get Your Number
Request a Greece charter
Tell us the islands and the dates. We request the Athens slot and any island slot together, plan the repositioning and parking on the mainland from the start, and arrange the mandatory handling at each end.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email charter@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.