Fraport Greece, marking 8 seasons of presence in Greece, is participating in the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), showcasing the "Airport of the Future"
Fraport Greece is participating in the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) as part of the event recognizing Germany as the honoured country. At the company's impressive booth, visitors can explore innovative technologies, many of which are already in use or being piloted at the airports managed by Fraport Greece.
The Airport of the Future
The company aims to redefine the passenger experience by offering modern digital services, such as self-baggage drop-off, self-boarding, and an innovative service robot that guides passengers through the airport and provides personalized information.
As for the self-boarding service, tests are already being conducted using biometric technology. Additionally, personalized applications are being developed for the intelligent operation of airports, such as detecting foreign objects on the runway, using drones.
One of the standout innovations presented by the company is MANiBOT, an EU-funded program in which Fraport Greece is participating. MANiBOT involves the creation of an autonomous robot designed to assist in baggage handling in collaboration with ground handling staff.
These technologies not only enhance passenger comfort and speed up services but also contribute to the sustainable development of airports, with a particular focus on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Visits to the Fraport Greece Booth
On the opening day of TIF, the booth was visited by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, accompanied by the German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Mr. Robert Habeck. Fraport Greece executives guided the visitors around the booth and briefed them on the company's latest innovations.
Other notable visitors to the booth included the Regional Governor of Central Macedonia, Mr Apostolos Tzitzikostas; the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Mr Stelios Angeloudis; the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr Christos Staikouras; the Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr Kostis Hatzidakis; the Minister of Health, Mr Adonis Georgiadis; the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mrs Elena Rapti; the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr Nikos Tachiaos; the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Costas Fragogiannis; the Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Mrs Katerina Rapti; the Regional Governor of Thessaly, Mr Dimitris Kouretas; the General Secretary of Information Systems and Digital Governance, Mr Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos; the Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Mr. Aristotelis Aivaliotis; and the candidate for president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Ioannis Bratakos.
Media Briefing and 8 Seasons of Fraport Greece
As part of its participation in TIF, Fraport Greece also hosted a media event at its booth. The journalists had the opportunity to be guided by Mr John Theophilos, Director of Information Technology & Telecommunications, through the interactive tour of the company's booth. Also, the company's Executive Director of Business and Commercial Development, Mr George Vilos, updated the media on passenger traffic trends in 2024, developments at Thessaloniki's Airport "Makedonia", and the Fraport Greece’s accomplishments over its eight seasons of operation.
Since the start of its activities, Fraport Greece has invested more than 500 million euros in upgrading 14 regional airports across the country, creating over 900 direct jobs. In total, more than 16,000 people are employed within the airport community.
Since 2017, the airports managed by Fraport Greece have handled more than 206 million passengers, with over 1.7 million flights. International flights make up 78% of total passenger traffic, while the company offers connections to 42 countries and has established 64 new routes with 56 airlines.
For his part, Mr. Alexander Zinell, CEO of Fraport Greece, said:
Fraport Greece proudly participates in the Thessaloniki International Fair, showcasing its vision for the airports of the future. In almost eight years, we have accomplished a great deal, and we are eager for the exciting and creative years ahead. The increasing tourist traffic in Greece and the company's continuous growth fill us with optimism for the future. We are also prepared to contribute to the discussion and address the challenges posed by the significantly increased demand for Greece as a tourist destination, with solutions that promote a balance between tourism development and the sustainability of local communities. With a focus on people and the environment, we are committed to helping create a sustainable tourism product that fosters harmony between the tourism industry and the needs of the regions we serve.
Fraport Greece's stand at the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair
Fraport Greece's new technological innovations at the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair
Fraport Greece's stand at the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair
Executives of Fraport Greece. From left: Andreas Karvelas – CTO, Alexander Zinell – CEO, Panagiotis Spyratos – COO, Vangelis Baltas – CFO
German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck with Alexander Zinell, CEO of Fraport Greece
The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, with Alexander Zinell, CEO of Fraport Greece
From left: Vangelis Baltas – CFO Fraport Greece, George Vilos – Executive Director for Business and Commercial Development, Kostis Hatzidakis – Minister of Economy and Finance
The Deputy Minister responsible for Infrastructure, Nikos Tachiaos, with Alexander Zinell, CEO of Fraport Greece
A snapshot from the press conference with local Media at the Fraport Greece stand at the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair
A snapshot from the press tour of the Fraport Greece stand at the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair, featuring John Theophilos – Head of IT & Telecoms at Fraport Greece.