Traffic at Greek airports is expected to soar this year, thanks to the improved prospects for this tourism season compared to 2021, after a serious crisis that hurt the airport market in 2020. In January and February traffic has been 40% below the 2019 standard, but this is an improvement on 2021, according to Fraport Greece Commercial and Business Development Director Giorgos Vilos. He does warn that the anticipated growth in tourism will heighten competition among Mediterranean destinations, while inflationary pressures shrink disposable incomes. Fraport operates 14 Greek airports, including Thessaloniki’s Makedonia.
A British national has been handed an eight-month suspended jail sentence after causing a flight from Manchester in the UK to Antalya in Turkey to make an emergency landing in northern Greece due to his disruptive behavior on board.
Police said the man appeared intoxicated and was behaving aggressively during the flight, prompting the pilot to divert the aircraft to Thessaloniki’s Makedonia Airport late Monday.
The passenger was arrested upon landing, as the aircraft resumed its journey to Turkey.
During preliminary questioning, the man allegedly admitted to having consumed alcohol but later told a court through an interpreter that he had not been drunk but had simply “spoken loudly.”
