Ellinikon International Airport: Difference between revisions
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[[Ellinikon International Airport]] {{airport codes|ATH|LGAT}}, sometimes spelled '''Hellinikon''' (in Greek Ελληνικόν) was the international airport of [[Athens]] for sixty years up until [[2001]] when it was replaced by [[Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport]]. It |
[[Ellinikon International Airport]] {{airport codes|ATH|LGAT}}, sometimes spelled '''Hellinikon''' (in Greek Ελληνικόν) was the international airport of [[Athens]] for sixty years up until [[2001]] when it was replaced by [[Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport]]. It is located Located 5mi/7km S of Athens, and just west of [[Komnina]]. It was named after the Greek city [[Elliniko]] (Elleniko). |
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It is bounded by residential houses, beaches in the west and in the south by the wooded trees of the [[Glyfada Golf Club]] along with the [[Ellinikon]]-[[Glyfada]] municipal boundary. |
The airport had two terminals; the west terminal for [[Olympic Airways]] and the east terminal for international flights. Its IATA code of ATH is now used at Venizelos. It is bounded by residential houses, beaches in the west and in the south by the wooded trees of the [[Glyfada Golf Club]] along with the [[Ellinikon]]-[[Glyfada]] municipal boundary. |
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After its closure to passenger traffic, a hangar on the west side of the airport was converted into a basketball arena. However, part of the runway still exists and there is a chance that Hellinikon will remain in use as a general aviation airport (with a significantly reduced runway). The Athens radar center is also still based there. However, since the end of the [[2004 Summer Olympics]], there has been much discussion to develop what remains of the old airport and its runways into an urban park in order to alleviate Athens' need for more green spaces. If this project is realized, the proposed Ellinikon urban park would be one of the largest in [[Europe]]. |
After its closure to passenger traffic, a hangar on the west side of the airport was converted into a basketball arena. However, part of the runway still exists and there is a chance that Hellinikon will remain in use as a general aviation airport (with a significantly reduced runway). The Athens radar center is also still based there. However, since the end of the [[2004 Summer Olympics]], there has been much discussion to develop what remains of the old airport and its runways into an urban park in order to alleviate Athens' need for more green spaces. If this project is realized, the proposed Ellinikon urban park would be one of the largest in [[Europe]]. |
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Prior to closing its passenger service, the airport was serving 12 million passengers per year. |
Prior to closing its passenger service, the airport was serving 12 million passengers per year. |
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During the [[Cold War]], the Greek government allowed the [[United States Air Force]] to use the airport from [[1945]] until [[1993]] as a staging field for Air Transport Command on flights between [[Rome]] and the [[Middle East]] and to process U.S. aid to Greece and [[Turkey]] under the Marshall Plan with cargo and transport aircraft. Known as '''Hellenikon Air Base''', the '''7206th Air Base Group''' provided airlift evacuation operations from Middle East (1967), Cyprus (1975), Ethiopia (1977), and Iran (1979, 1981). The American base also provided administrative and logistical support to U.S. units and organizations in Greece, the Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean, and parts of Africa. |
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==See also== |
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* [[United States Air Forces in Europe]] |
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== References == |
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* Ravenstein, Charles A., Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977, Office of Air Force History, 1984 |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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[[Category:Airports in Greece]] |
[[Category:Airports in Greece]] |
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[[Category:History of Athens]] |
[[Category:History of Athens]] |
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[[Category:Defunct United States Air Force bases]] |
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[[el:Διεθνές Αεροδρόμιο Ελληνικού]] |
[[el:Διεθνές Αεροδρόμιο Ελληνικού]] |
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Revision as of 18:37, 11 August 2006
Ellinikon International Airport (IATA: ATH, ICAO: LGAT), sometimes spelled Hellinikon (in Greek Ελληνικόν) was the international airport of Athens for sixty years up until 2001 when it was replaced by Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport. It is located Located 5mi/7km S of Athens, and just west of Komnina. It was named after the Greek city Elliniko (Elleniko).
The airport had two terminals; the west terminal for Olympic Airways and the east terminal for international flights. Its IATA code of ATH is now used at Venizelos. It is bounded by residential houses, beaches in the west and in the south by the wooded trees of the Glyfada Golf Club along with the Ellinikon-Glyfada municipal boundary.
After its closure to passenger traffic, a hangar on the west side of the airport was converted into a basketball arena. However, part of the runway still exists and there is a chance that Hellinikon will remain in use as a general aviation airport (with a significantly reduced runway). The Athens radar center is also still based there. However, since the end of the 2004 Summer Olympics, there has been much discussion to develop what remains of the old airport and its runways into an urban park in order to alleviate Athens' need for more green spaces. If this project is realized, the proposed Ellinikon urban park would be one of the largest in Europe.
History
The airport was built in 1938.
In 1963 the Finnish star architect Eero Saarinen designed the East Terminal.
On April 2, 1986, TWA Flight 840, which was travelling from Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport near Rome to Ellinikon was bombed, sucking four people out of the plane to their deaths. The plane landed safely.
Prior to closing its passenger service, the airport was serving 12 million passengers per year.
During the Cold War, the Greek government allowed the United States Air Force to use the airport from 1945 until 1993 as a staging field for Air Transport Command on flights between Rome and the Middle East and to process U.S. aid to Greece and Turkey under the Marshall Plan with cargo and transport aircraft. Known as Hellenikon Air Base, the 7206th Air Base Group provided airlift evacuation operations from Middle East (1967), Cyprus (1975), Ethiopia (1977), and Iran (1979, 1981). The American base also provided administrative and logistical support to U.S. units and organizations in Greece, the Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean, and parts of Africa.
See also
References
- Ravenstein, Charles A., Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977, Office of Air Force History, 1984