KALAMATA – Four investing groups have shown interest in the Kalamata International Airport in southern Greece, said Growthfund on Thursday after the completion of bid submissions.

In alphabetical order, Greece’s public assets management fund said, those expresssing interest are as follows:

1. Egis Airport Operation – Aktor Concessions Single Member SA – Aéroports de la Cote d’Azur

2. Fraport AG- Delta Airport Investments SA – Pileas SA

3. GEK Terna SA – GMR Airports Limited

4. Mytilineos SA – Corporation America Airports SA

The airport lies 9 km from the center of Kalamata and has been in operation since 1959. Its facilities cover 0,245 hectares (2,450 sqm) and include two arrival and two departure halls, and a waiting hall. It can accomodate a total of four airplanes: two A320s and two A319s, according to the Civil Aviation Authority’s site.

The winning concession will hold the rights of administration, management, operation, development, expansion, maintenance, and revenue generation at the airport, and the initial round of selected proposals (phase 2 of the tendering process) is expected to be completed within the first quarter of 2023.

Growthfund said that this tendering is the first large step towards developing the 23 regional airports, which will radically change the country’s image in transportation and in tourism growth.

For the other 22 airports, the tendering for the selection of consultant (financial, legal, technical/circulation) and the submission of bids has been set for February 6, 2023. The completion of the tender and the signing of an agreement for a consultant on all 22 is expected within the first quarter of 2023.