Athens International Airport (AIA), in Greece, has launched a specific check-in system for cruise passengers that connects Athens International Airport with the cruise terminal at the Port of Piraeus.
This system was created in collaboration with ground handling operators Swissport Hellas and Skyserv, as well as the Port Authority of Piraeus. With cruise passenger traffic on the rise, this service is expected to expedite and simplify check-in procedures at the airport and enhance the cruise passenger experience.
In accordance with off-airport check-in procedures, upon arrival in Athens, cruise passengers will board a coach directly for transfer to their cruise ship. Meanwhile, Skyserv and Swissport Hellas will handle their luggage independently. Upon departure, passengers will receive their flight boarding passes as they disembark the ship, and their checked luggage will be transported from Piraeus directly to the airport tarmac by truck, where it will be loaded onto the aircraft after passing through X-ray security.
Alexios Sioris, Director of Ground Handling and Cargo Development at AIA, stated: “We are particularly pleased with this new check-in process, as it helps to alleviate congestion in the passenger terminal during peak hours, thereby improving the travel experience for cruise passengers and the general public. This new service exemplifies the collaborative approach of all stakeholders: Athens International Airport in its role as coordinator, the Port Authority of Piraeus, ground handling operators, and the state authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority and Customs Control, who embraced the project from the outset, accepting the implementation of simplified procedures while remaining within the framework of current legislation. Our ultimate goal is to extend this service to a greater number of cruise passengers arriving at and departing from Athens International Airport.”.
Yiannis Zermas, CEO of Swissport Hellas, commented: "This pioneering service was the only way to successfully address the particularly high seasonal passenger traffic at some regional airports.".
Nikolaos Grylos, Skyserv's commercial director, concluded: "We are very pleased to have contributed to the realization of this new venture."
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