Athens International Airport, Eleftherios Venizelos, was financed, constructed and is currently operated under a long-term concession agreement by state and private sector partners.

The airport development was based upon an updated master plan (1998) which established a two-runway system with central passenger terminal and satellite buildings, extensive cargo and maintenance and Olympic Airways home base facilities. Following three years of successful operation, and passenger growth to over 12.5 mppa, AIA instigated a review of the 1998 master planning assumptions and the development of a new plan appropriate to the changing character of the market.

The plan addressed, importantly, whether the satellite concept for future terminal development remains the most appropriate solution and whether the dual-runway and taxiway system would have adequate long-term capacity under future operating conditions. As part of this task, it was necessary to examine the appropriateness of the concession contract, the minimum technical requirements and the trigger procedures for expansion and investment.