Fraport Greece Signs Agreement with the Greek State for Fire-Fighting Services at the Regional Airports
Fraport Greece today signed an agreement with the Greek State for the provision of fire-fighting services at the regional airports, which will soon be managed by Fraport Greece under a 40-year concession. As stipulated in the concession agreement, Fraport Greece is responsible for the provision of fire services at the regional airports, either directly or through a contracted professional fire-fighting organization. The high level of collaboration between Fraport Greece and the Greek State and, more importantly, the high professional standards of the Hellenic Fire Service (HFS) prompted Fraport Greece to expand cooperation with the State through this new contractual agreement.
On behalf of the Greek State, contracts were inked by the alternate minister of the interior and administrative reconstruction at the citizen protection ministry Nikolaos Toskas, as well as the minister of finance Euclid Tsakalatos. CEO Alexander Zinell and COO Ian Matheson signed for Fraport Greece.
A total of 540 firemen will be deployed at the 14 airports by the Hellenic Fire Service (HFS) and the Hellenic Air Force (HAF), in accordance with national and international regulations and standards – including ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). Fraport Greece will pay 10.5 million euros per year for staff services, plus an annual management fee of four percent of this amount. HFS will provide 502 firemen who will serve at 13 of the regional airports. Fraport Greece will also sign a separate contract with the Hellenic Air Force to provide 38 firemen at Aktion Airport, the fourteenth location.
Fraport Greece will also cover transfer costs of 800,000 euros for relocating fire-fighting staff to the various airports, as well as some 800,000 euros for replacing personal protection equipment (about 1,600 euros per firefighter). In addition, costs for the regular training of firefighters will be borne by Fraport Greece. Ongoing fire-fighting training and skills development, in keeping with national and international standards, is considered essential for maintaining the highest level of airport safety and operations. Fire-fighting equipment and related buildings at the airports, including maintenance and replacement, will be the responsibility of Fraport Greece.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Fraport Greece’s CEO Alexander Zinell explained: “We chose the Hellenic Fire Service as Fraport Greece’s partner because this provides the best solution for the operation and safety of the airports. Greece’s firefighters are highly dedicated and professional. The contract with the Hellenic Fire Service underscores our commitment to the best and safe operation of airports, as well as to excellent cooperation with the Greek State. Above all, ‘safety first’ is our maxim. We are advancing with all pending issues for the startup of the concession of the 14 airports. Furthermore, we are ready to start the hard work required to develop the regional airports into drivers of growth in their local communities and the Greek tourism industry.”