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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 to everyone at all airport areas, indoors & outdoors. (Joint Ministerial Decision of Oct 23rd -FEK 4709/B , Gov. Gazette Bulletin 1869/Δ1α/ΓΠ.οικ.67924). Please note that, as per the Hellenic National Public Health Organization, face mask filtering respirators with one-way valves should not be used. 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. 

In the context of the anti-Covid-19 measures of the Government of the Hellenic Republic, domestic flights across Greece are currently subject to restrictions. As per relevant governmental decision, until 07.01.21 (23:59 at midnight), only essential travel properly documented is allowed for passengers on all domestic flights .Essential travel should include travel for health issues, business purposes , for imperative family reasons and return to their permanent residence.

For additional information regarding the current status of flight restrictions due to Covid-19, you can call the Greek General Secretariat for Civil Protection at 0030 213 15 10 932-3, 0030 213 15 10 171, 0030 213 15 10 196 or send an email to generalsecretary@civilprotection.gr  /  generalsecretary@gscp.gr.

Airline operators shall ensure that passengers meet the requirements of traveling according to relevant measures in effect at destination at the time of travelling. For further information you may contact your airline. Detailed contact information of airlines is provided in our website at the following link: https://www.aia.gr/traveler/travellers-info/airlines

As per the joint Ministerial decision (ΦΕΚ:2602/28 Ιουνίου2020/Δ1α/ΓΠ.οικ.40383) issued by the Hellenic Republic, until 07.01.2021 all passengers travelling on international flights to Greece are required to fill in and electronically submit the compulsory Passenger Locator Form (PLF) not later than the previous day before entering the country. Families may submit a joint e-PLF form.

The Form can be found here: https://travel.gov.gr/#/

Until 07.01.2021, the mandatory completion of the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) found in the electronic address https://travel.gov.gr/ is extended to all permanent residents in Greece departing on international flights from any Greek airport, not later than the previous day of departure.

As the completion of local Passenger Locator Form is compulsory before entering  other countries as well, it is highly recommended to contact your airline in order to confirm whether the respective Passenger Locator Form of your destination country should also be completed. Alternatively, for this matter you may contact the embassy/consulate of the destination country in Greece.

Travellers will receive a confirmation e-mail upon submission of the PLF, which is a compulsory travel document that has to be presented during boarding. Travellers will receive their PLF unique Quick Response (QR) code upon submission and will be notified via email (the QR code will be provided with a link in the confirmation email).

Airlines are required, prior to accepting passengers for boarding, to check the confirmation receipt of PLF submission at the predefined time limit before flight & the response e-mail with a PLF QR code. If travel departure begins prior to the day of arrival, travellers are allowed to board after showing the confirmation email (and not necessarily the QR code which is scheduled to arrive at midnight of the day of arrival.)

For further information or questions regarding the completion & operation of the form, you may contact the PLF Help Desk of travel.gov.gr at telephone 0030 215 560 5151 (Mon to Fri 09:00-17:00 LT) or email at generalsecretary@civilprotection.gr  /  generalsecretary@gscp.gr.

Urgent cases for travelling falling in shorter period than the predetermined time limit of PLF submission before the flight will be examined per case by the State Authorities & acceptance or rejection will be notified to applicants through an e-mail message.

Additionally, until 07.01.21 at midnight, all passengers of international flights entering the country must display (additional to the PLF form and QR code) a negative molecular test (PCR) for Covid-19, conducted up to 72 hours before arrival in Greece.

Passengers are required to show a negative molecular test result (PCR) for Covid-19 in English from a certified diagnostic center which must include their passport or identity details.

Airlines must check whether passengers have a negative molecular test result certificate before boarding, as its absence obliges the airline not to embark the passenger.

For further information or questions regarding the procedure, you may contact the Greek General Secretariat for Civil Protection at 0030 213 15 10 932-3, 0030 213 15 10 171, 0030 213 15 10 196 or email at generalsecretary@civilprotection.gr  /  generalsecretary@gscp.gr.

Airline operators shall 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 otherwise they must deny boarding as per the Greek government's legislative acts.  For further information you may contact your airline. Detailed contact information of airlines is provided in our website at the following link: https://www.aia.gr/traveler/travellers-info/airlines/

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

In accordance with the Greek government's decisions there is a ban of entry applying to all non-EU citizens until 07.01.21, as announced by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority. Certain exemptions are also applicable as follows:

Exemptions apply for citizens and permanent residents from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand,Singapore, Uruguay, the United Arab Emirates.
In order to prove their place of residence, third country nationals may present their residence permit, work permit, identity card, driving license or other documents, provided that it states place of residence.

Also exempted from the restrictions are:

• EU member states nationals & the Schengen agreement, including their spouses or persons with whom they have a cohabitation agreement, as well as their minor children.
• Passengers travelling for essential reasons, including health issues, business purposes, imperative family reasons, persons in need for international protection
• Medical & nursing staff, researchers & health professionals if they demonstrate at the points of entry evidence of their professional status and provided that their entry into the country  relates to the exercise of their duties.
• Long—term residents or EU member states or Schengen agreement and 3^rd country nationals holding a residence permit or in EU member state or Schengen agreement.
• Members of government delegations
• Members of diplomatic delegations or consulate authorities & delegations, members of international & European organizations, members of humanitarian organizations performing their duties, military &  security forces officials & of general secretariat of civil protection.
• Personnel employed in the transport section,  including seamen, aircraft crews and the crews and technical personnel of the leased aircraft firefighting equipment, lorry drivers & the absolutely necessary support staff for the transport of goods.
• Transit passengers
• Students
• Persons caring for the elderly & people with disability (disabled)
• Seasonal workers in the field of agriculture

The above persons are obliged to display documents & undergo laboratory medical examination. Third country nationals subject to prohibition herein have the right to submit request to the Greek consular authority of their place of residence or stay for their exceptional entry in the country for business or personal reasons.

A completed electronic Passenger Locator Form (e-PLF) is also compulsory for all inbound passengers. Families may submit a joint e-PLF form. In response to the e-PLF submission, passengers will receive a QR code displaying their selection for a PCR test upon arrival in Athens. The QR codes are addressed to passengers at midnight on the day of travel. 

Additionally, from 11.11.20 at 06:00 until 07.01.2021 at midnight, all passengers of international flights entering the country must display (additional to the PLF form and QR code) a negative molecular test (PCR) for Covid-19, conducted up to 72 hours before arrival in Greece.

Flights to/from Albania & North Macedonia are only allowed from/to Athens International Airport until 07.01.2021.

Until 07.01.2021, 23:59 all permanent residents of the Russian Federation entering the country from the Russian Federation must display (additional to the PLF form and QR code) a negative molecular test (PCR) for Covid-19, conducted up to 72 hours before arrival in Greece. Flights from Russian Federation are limited to 500 passengers per week.

Until 07.01.2021, 23:59 all permanent residents of Israel entering the country from Israel must display (additional to the PLF form and QR code) a negative molecular test (PCR) for Covid-19, conducted up to 72 hours before arrival in Greece. Flights from Israel are limited to 10.000 passengers per week.

All flights from/to Turkey are suspended until 07.01.2021. In addition, all flights originating from any airport in the territory of Catalonia of Spain are suspended until 07.01.2021.

Transit passengers via AIA, including those from restricted origins, are not required to display a negative molecular test (PCR) upon arrival, nor to submit a Passenger Locator Form (e-PLF).

For further information or questions regarding the procedure, you may contact the Greek General Secretariat for Civil Protection at 0030 213 15 10 932-3, 0030 213 15 10 171, 0030 213 15 10 196, or send an email to generalsecretary@civilprotection.gr/  generalsecretary@gscp.gr.

Airline operators shall 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, otherwise they must deny boarding as per the Greek government's legislative acts. For further information you may contact your airline. Detailed contact information of airlines is provided in our website at the following link: https://www.aia.gr/traveler/travellers-info/airlines/

It is highly advisable that passengers get informed on the restrictions announced by their country of origin on their return from Greece. Some countries require a PCR test conducted some hours prior arrival, whilst others have issued restrictions for arriving passengers.

Governmental decisions regarding restrictions or requirements for the travelling public are updated at regular intervals and ad-hoc depending on the pandemic situation.

According to the Greek General Secretariat for Civil Protection,the presentation of travel documents (ticket / boarding pass/ e-plf ) is sufficient for the movement of passengers to / from the AIA, along with a type B certificate of movement,  stating that they are going to Athens International Airport due to a planned trip (date, time, airline).Foreign passengers can present only the respective Travel Documents as proof of movement to/from Athens International Airport.  

The above apply to both departing and arriving passengers, whether returning to their home or staying in a hotel (Greeks and Foreigners).

Only one escort per passenger is allowed during the day by using code 4 in the relevant movement declaration either sent by SMS at 13033 or marked in  the handwritten movement certificate type B found in https://www.gov.gr/.  A solemn declaration found in the same website,  is necessary as well, stating in free text that the scope of the specific movement is escorting a passenger to/from Athens International Airport. A copy/photo of the passenger’s travel documents  is recommended as evidence when the passenger is not riding with the escort in the vehicle.

Τhere is a traffic ban in effect from 22:00 to 05:00. Passengers can still travel normally to/from the airport during these hours with the documents described above. Escorts are not allowed during these hours, so the passenger must travel either by his own means or use Public Transport or Taxi

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 0030 213 15 10 932-3, 0030 213 15 10 171, 0030 213 15 10 196, or send an email at generalsecretary@civilprotection.gr   /  generalsecretary@gscp.gr.

By order of the  Government of the Hellenic Republic, from 18/12/20 until 07/01/21 (06:00 a.m.), the following restrictions apply upon entry into the Hellenic Republic to any individual regardless of nationality and country of origin:

Passengers are required to remain in isolation under quarantine for precautionary reasons for three (3) days upon arrival at their place of residence, as declared at the submitted PLF (Passenger Locator Form), except if their stay in Greece is less than three days, therefore the restriction applies for the respective period. Please be reminded that ,passengers are required to show a negative molecular test result (PCR) for Covid-19 in English from a certified diagnostic center which must include their passport or identity details.

For further information or questions regarding the procedure, you may contact the Greek General Secretariat for Civil Protection at 0030 213 15 10 932-3, 0030 213 15 10 171, 0030 213 15 10 196 or email at generalsecretary@civilprotection.gr  /  generalsecretary@gscp.gr

In case you need to contact the National Public Health Organization (EODY) Operations Centre, you may call (0030) 210 5212054 or e-mail at  kepix@eody.gov.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.

• 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 molecular based diagnostic test for SARS-COV-2 (Covid-19) at the specially configured testing point of Athens Medical Center, located at Athens International Airport on the “Arrivals” level, between exits 2 and 3. The testing point operates daily from 07:00 until 23:00. You may proceed for testing without an appointment, after having completed the necessary registration & payment procedure through the electronic platform  https://payments.iatriko.gr/. Test results will be delivered to you, by email, within approximately 24 hours. Response time varies according to sampling time or volume of tests.

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 is open again, as of 01/07/20. 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. 

• Lufthansa - Business Lounge is operational from 05:30 to 19:00.

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