A consortium led by Fraport AG, with participation from Delta Airport Investments S.A. and Pileas S.A., has secured a 40-year concession to operate Kalamata International Airport, in the Peloponnese. The deal was finalized with a bid of 45.2 million euros.
Named after the late shipping magnate Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos, who was the one to elevate the region of Messenia onto the global tourism map through the Costa Navarino project, the airport opened its doors in 1959.
Steady Growth in Passenger Traffic
Since 2010, the airport has seen consistent increases in passenger traffic. According to data from the Greek Tourism Confederation’s research institute (INSETE), international arrivals rose from 33,144 in 2010 to 153,364 in 2019.
In 2023, there were 152,000 international arrivals recorded between Jan. and Oct., a 13.7% increase year-on-year, along with 12,000 domestic arrivals, marking a 2.3% rise.
Fraport CEO Dr. Stefan Schulte estimates that by 2024, the airport will handle 330,000 passengers, with projections exceeding 500,000 annually by the decade’s end.
Expanding Potential as a Destination
The consortium’s takeover aligns with a broader push to develop alternative tourist destinations in Greece. The Peloponnese region, particularly Kalamata, has been highlighted by INSETE for its potential in various tourism sectors, including sun-and-sea, yachting, cultural and religious tourism, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions).
Airline Partnerships Fuel Growth
Under Fraport’s management, Kalamata Airport is set to expand its network of international airline partners. While Aegean Airlines has been the airport’s main carrier since 2010, new airlines are already committing to the airport for the 2025 summer season.
British carrier Jet2 will introduce a Bristol-Kalamata route, alongside a returning Edinburgh-Kalamata service starting on May 6.
Discover Airlines, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, is also expanding its operations from Frankfurt to Kalamata, while easyJet has announced a new Manchester-Kalamata route, set to launch on June 24, 2025.
These new connections are expected to significantly boost the airport’s passenger traffic, enhancing Kalamata’s position as a key gateway to the Peloponnese.
