December 4th 2023.
The Ellinikon International Airport in Greece has been left to rot for two decades. It was built in 1938, but only three years later, it was invaded by German forces and used as a base for the German Air Force. During the Second World War, it was heavily damaged by Allied forces' bombs.
After the war, the airport was used by Americans for take-off and landing, while flying to the Middle East. It was a precarious runway, perched between the Aegean Sea and the Peloponnese mountains, making it difficult for pilots to land. The airport was eventually shut down in 2001 to make way for a newer airport in time for the 2004 Olympic Games.
The airport has a fascinating history, including a tragic event in 1973 when two terrorists affiliated with the Black September Organisation killed three people and wounded dozens in the passenger lounge. Unused planes and empty hangars remain in the airport, the parking lots are overgrown with weeds from decades of neglect.
The formerly busy airport is now deserted. It is home to stray animals and some asylum seekers. But new plans have been approved to create an 'Athens Riviera' from the airport, with beach villas, shopping districts, and high-end casinos to entice tourists once again.
This historically convoluted airport has a lot of potential and is an exciting project to watch. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the abandoned Ellinikon International Airport.
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