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Aiming at providing the correct information to the public, Athens International Airport S.A. would like to proceed with the following clarifications in relation to the information, which was recently provided to the Press.

It is truly sad to give to publicity inaccurate information, which has nothing to do with reality and harms the image of the airport.

Some indicative examples relate to the figures regarding the traffic and the number of aircraft parking stands. More specifically:

1. The traffic at the new airport is absolutely within the framework of the forecasts regarding flight movements and passengers' flow, which was used in the Business Plan submitted and approved by the lending banks. The billing policy of "Eleftherios Venizelos" has been determined in accordance with the above forecasts, to secure payment of the airport's financial obligations.
2. The comparisons presented as regards the number of flights, definitely does not reflect the true picture of the new airport. The fact that Hellenikon figures include general aviation flights, proves that these figures are not comparable, given that a great number of general aviation flights - whose contribution to the total income in a big international airport is minor - is still handled at Hellenikon. Therefore, following comparison of the figures - excluding general aviation flights from both airports - it arises that, in April 200, 14,223 flights were handled at Hellenikon Airport, whereas, at the new airport, 14,039 flights were handled during the same period, i.e. a 1% decrease.
3. As regards passengers flow in April 2001, 1,110,000 passengers were transported, i.e. only 34,000 less passengers as against April 2000, i.e. a decrease of 3% (HCAA official statistics: Passenger flow in April 2000: 1,143,645).
4. The above figures are particularly satisfactory and normal for any airport at the commencement of its operation, given that, during the first weeks of operation, there are always flight cancellations. It is also important to mention that another 188 cancellations took place during the general pan-hellenic strike of April 26th, 2001.
5. Already since the first days of the month of May, traffic flow was fully restored, and aircraft movements during the week 28.04 - 04.05 were at higher levels as against the respective period of the year 2000, despite the increased traffic of the Easter period in the particular week of the year 2000, and the decreased flights due to the strike of May 1st, 2001.
6. As regards aircraft parking stands, according to the official data of ICAO and the HCAA, Hellenikon Airport had 75 parking stands, whereas AIA currently has 81 parking stands, whereas there is a possibility of expansion, which was naturally not the case at Hellenikon.
7. The Athens International Airport provides its facilities and services, in accordance with the relevant legislation, and following the approval of all competent international and Greek authorities (Ministry of Transport, HCAA, ICAO, FAA etc.).
8. Lastly, we would like to remind you once again that AIA is a Greek company, in which the Greek State participates by 55%, whereas 95% of its employees are Greeks.