New £34million airport revamp to transform pretty Greek island that’s the ‘affordable Santorini’
AN airport on an overlooked Greek island is being transformed – making it much easier to get to.
Paros is found between Santorini and Mykonos, although has far fewer tourists visit.
Just 200,000 tourists visit a year – compared to Santorini’s two million – with the easiest way to visit via a 40-minute flight from Athens.
But the airport is undergoing a huge €41million (£34million) renovation.
A new terminal is being added, to cope with the increasing popularity of the island.
Inside will be four gate lounges, as well as seven check in counters, duty free shops and food and drink.
The new Terminal of Paros Airport was planned by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority as a response to the steadily increasing popularity of the Aegean Island.
Hellenic Aviation Service Provider (HASP) Governor George Saounatsos said the new terminal will be “17 times larger” than the current one, according to local media.
He said: “The functional and modern design of the new terminal will position Paros as a leading destination for tourist arrivals through the airport.
“Passengers will benefit from a significantly enhanced travel experience thanks to the upgraded infrastructure.”
The runway is also being extended with from 1,400m to 1,800m, meaning it can take on larger aircraft, along with the on-site car park.
A new state-of-the-art control tower and new 12,500sqm passenger hall are also being added.
The works, which were first announced in 2020, hoped to be finished by 2023.
This was later delayed, with most of the phases to now be finished by 2026.
While it hasn’t been confirmed which airlines this could include, there are hopes it will encourage international flights.
The Paros municipality said: “We are certain that the airport’s upgrade – with the necessary staff and equipment – will spur the interest of more airlines”.
If you fancy visiting Paros, it was recently named one of the top trending destinations for 2025 by American Express.
While the easiest way to visit is a flight from Athens, you can also visit on day trips from Mykonos or Santorini by boat.
Its much more affordable too, with cheaper hotels and typical spends around £100 lower than Santorini.
It’s not the only new airport opening in Greece.
Kastelli International Airport will replace the existing Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport in Heraklion by 2027.
The current airport has been open since 1937, and can only handle eight million passengers a year.
The newer airport – estimated to be costing (£422million – will be able to handle 18million passengers per year.
When built in Crete, it will be one of Greece’s biggest airports.
Greenland, the world’s biggest island, is opening three new airports.
And Hong Kong’s airport is undergoing a £13.9billion renovation – with a new runway opening next month.
Three mega airports opening in Europe
1. Warsaw Solidarity Airport, Poland
One of the largest airports opening in Europe is to be Poland’s £7billion Warsaw Solidarity Airport.
It will replace the current Warsaw Chopin Airport welcoming up to 65million passengers by 2060.
It hopes to open it’s first stage by 2028.
2. New Bodø Airport, Norway
Norway is replacing it’s current Bodø Airport with the new £546million New Bodø Airport.
The airport hopes to welcome as many as 2.3million passengers a year.
It aims to open by 2029, and be fully operational by 2030.
3. Luis de Camoes Airport, Portugal
First discussed back in 2008, Lisbon has revealed plans for it’s new Luis de Camoes Airport.
The £7billion airport will replace the current Lisbon Airport which has already reached capacity.
It hopes to open by 2034, with the current Lisbon Airport then dismantled.