Athens: Introduction
Private jet charter to Athens gives discerning travellers direct, seamless access to Greece and the wider Mediterranean. Landing at Athens Elefthérios-Venizélos International Airport (LGAV), one of the most modern gateways in Southeast Europe, places you within easy reach of the city, the Aegean islands and the most exclusive coastal destinations.
Whether you are a corporate executive, a family office or a leisure traveller seeking discretion and comfort, AEROAFFAIRES tailors each private jet flight to your schedule and expectations. We also arrange onward helicopter transfers to private villas, yachts or the city centre, letting you discover Athens from the air while saving precious time.
Useful information
Athens Elefthérios-Venizélos International Airport (LGAV) handles every category of aircraft, from light turboprops to long-range jets, with a dedicated private aviation terminal designed for speed and discretion. LGAV operates two long runways capable of accommodating all aircraft types, served by business aviation handlers and private lounges.
The two runways at LGAV can welcome turboprops, intermediate jets and airliners alike. A separate terminal reserved for private jet flights keeps your arrival fluid and confidential, away from commercial crowds.
Its central position in Southern Europe makes Athens a natural hub toward European capitals, the Middle East and North Africa, while light jets and helicopters reach the Greek islands within minutes.
- Private lounges reserved for business aviation passengers
- Concierge services handling formalities and ground logistics
- Dedicated private jet terminal ensuring confidentiality
- Helicopter and light jet connections to the Aegean islands
Airport characteristics:
- Address Attiki Odos, Spata 19019, Grèce
- IATA code ATH
- ICAO code LGAV
- Latitude 37.936768
- Longitude 23.944423
- Altitude 94m
- Number of runways 2
- Runway length 3800m
- General aviation terminal Terminal principal + terminal satellite relié par un passage souterrain.
Specificities :
- Athens Elefthérios-Venizélos Airport (ATH) :
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The capital’sonly airport for private jets.
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Modern facilities, open 24 hours a day, with terminals dedicated to business aviation (FBOs ): Goldair Handling, Skyserv, etc.
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All types of aircraft can access the airport, from turboprops(Pilatus PC-12, King Air) to long-haulaircraft (Falcon 8X, Gulfstream 650, Global 7500).
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- Hubs of major Greek airlines (Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air), with the capacity to handle heavy traffic – member of ACI Group 1 (over 25 million passengers/year); developments planned to handle up to 50 million passengers via a six-phase plan
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During the summer months (May to September), private jets may not be parked for more than 2 hours after arriving in Athens; the aircraft drops off passengers, then has to leave to reposition itself elsewhere, in order to relieve parking congestion and give priority to scheduled commercial flights, which saturate the infrastructure during the high season.
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Operational consequences: it is impossible for a private jet to wait for its passengers for several days in Athens. Need to organize a “drop & go” and plan a repositioning to a relay airport (often Thessaloniki, Kalamata, Heraklion, sometimes abroad such as Sofia or Istanbul).
- Strategic hub to the Cyclades and the Aegean: Athens often serves as a gateway: transit point to Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, Rhodes, etc. As the islands have short or constrained runways, many customers choose to arrive in Athens by private long-haul aircraft, followed by a second, shorter segment by turboprop or helicopter.
- Regulatory and practical constraints: Greek airspace is highly controlled, with strict flight plans and systematic authorizations. Flying over sensitive areas (Acropolis, military bases) is forbidden, which has an impact on approaches.
Airport facilities Athens
A380 capability, EASA/FAA approvals
Available services
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Customs
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Concierge service
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Valet
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Ground handling assistance
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Rest room
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Conference room
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Wifi
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Baggage services
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VIP chauffeur transfer
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Car rental
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Limousine rental
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Helicopter transfer
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Private parking
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Showers
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Hotel booking
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Pets allowed
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Disabled access
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VIP lounge
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Secure entrance
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Landing by private jet in Athens
Frequent international origins to Athens
A private jet charter to Athens draws a diverse international clientele: American and Brazilian families seeking summer escapes, French and Swiss travellers heading to the Aegean, and Middle Eastern guests reaching their villas or yachts. Corporate executives also fly in year-round for business across Greece, while Athens itself serves as the main gateway to Mykonos, Santorini and the wider Cyclades.
Typical Departure Points to Athens
Most charter flights to Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (LGAV) originate from major European and transatlantic hubs. The most frequent departure cities include:
- London: a favourite among leisure and corporate travellers heading to Greece
- Paris: a key origin for family and business charters toward Athens
- Madrid: a regular departure point for Southern European clients
- New York: the main transatlantic gateway for long-range flights
Aircraft for Your Flight to Athens
Leisure groups favour large-cabin comfort with the Falcon 900 or Praetor 600, while the Citation XLS suits midsize itineraries. Corporate travellers often choose the Pilatus PC-12, Citation Mustang or Phenom 300 for efficient point-to-point flights.
| From | To | Aircraft | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | Greece | Light Jet | 6-8 passengers |
| Paris | Greece | Midsize Jet | 7-9 passengers |
Prices for guidance only, contact us for a quote. Your dedicated advisor will confirm the most suitable aircraft and full route details.
Location and access to Athens airport
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (LGAV) sits around 33 kilometers east of the Athens city center, roughly 40 minutes by road via a direct freeway depending on traffic. Located in Spata, the airport connects to central Athens through the Attiki Odos motorway, making transfers straightforward whether you head into the capital or toward the Attica coast. After your private jet charter to Athens, our team arranges seamless ground or air transfers tailored to your itinerary.
- Chauffeur-driven limousine: discreet, high-end transfer from the terminal directly to your hotel or meeting.
- Luxury sedans: top-of-the-range vehicles for individual travellers or small groups.
- Helicopter transfer: point-to-point flights to the heart of Athens, the seaside resorts of the Attica coast, private villas or yachts, saving valuable time.
Nearby cities
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Airport
25 km
30 min Athens city center
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Depart from Athens by private jet
Popular destinations from Athens
From Athens, a private jet or helicopter opens up the entire Greek archipelago and connects you to major European, Middle Eastern and North African hubs. Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (LGAV) serves as the principal gateway to the Cyclades, with light jets and helicopters reaching the islands within minutes. The season runs strongest from April to October, when upscale marinas, villas and resorts fill across the Aegean.
Popular Island Destinations from Athens
Most of our island flights operate seasonally, with helicopter transfers landing close to yachts, private villas and seaside estates. Runway constraints on several islands mean light jets or helicopter segments are often the most efficient choice.
- Mykonos (LGMK): the Cyclades’ most fashionable harbour and beach-club scene
- Santorini, Thira (LGSR): caldera views and clifftop estates
- Rhodes (LGRP): medieval old town and Dodecanese coastline
- Heraklion, Crete (LGIR): gateway to southern beaches and vineyards
- Corfu (LGKR) and Zakynthos (LGZA): Ionian green islands and marinas
- Skiathos (LGSK): Sporades getaway with one of Europe’s most scenic approaches
European and International Routes
Athens sits within easy reach of European capitals and connects directly toward the Middle East and North Africa, with Thessaloniki a short hop to the north. Inbound charters frequently depart from London, Paris, Madrid and New York.
For precise routings, aircraft availability and a tailored quote, your dedicated AEROAFFAIRES advisor will build the itinerary around your dates, group size and preferred islands.
What to do in Athens: our recommendations
Athens rewards UHNWI travellers with an extraordinary blend of ancient heritage and refined modern luxury. After landing at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (LGAV), you reach a city steeped in millennia of history and dubbed the cradle of Western civilisation, where world-class archaeology sits alongside Michelin-starred dining and discreet high-end boutiques.
Fine Dining and Exclusive Experiences
Athenian gastronomy reaches its summit at Spondi, the double Michelin-starred restaurant founded in 1996 by Apostolos Trastelis, awarded its first star in 2002, celebrated for creative international cuisine.
Must-See Cultural Landmarks
The Acropolis remains the defining sight of Greece, crowned by the Parthenon and its sister temples of antiquity. A private guided visit before opening hours lets you admire these monuments away from the crowds. Beyond the citadel, the historic core repays unhurried exploration.
- The Parthenon and Acropolis: the architectural pinnacle of antiquity, ideally seen on a privately curated early-morning tour.
- Plaka and Thission: elegant neighbourhoods of neoclassical houses, quiet courtyards and view-laden terraces beneath the Acropolis.
- The Ancient Agora and Monastiraki: the civic heart of classical Athens, paired with antique dealers and artisan ateliers.
- World-renowned museums: private after-hours access to leading collections of Greek sculpture and artefacts.
Where to stay in Athens: our recommended hotels
For travellers arriving by private jet, Athens offers a select roster of five-star addresses placing you within walking distance of the Acropolis, the Agora and the city’s finest boutiques. We recommend booking a room at the King George, a refined choice in the heart of the capital.
Luxury Hotels in the Heart of Athens
Dating from 1930, the King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel embodies understated elegance in central Athens. Its discreet, refined style appeals to those who value privacy, while its location puts the city’s cultural treasures within easy reach.
- Steps from Plaka and Thission: neoclassical lanes, courtyards and tavernas a short stroll away
- Near the Ancient Agora: the heart of classical Greece on your doorstep
- Close to Monastiraki market: antiques and artisan finds nearby
- Surrounded by high-end boutiques and museums: shopping and culture within the historic centre
From the King George, the drive to Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (LGAV) is straightforward, keeping your transfers as seamless as your flight.
Book your flight at Athens with AEROAFFAIRES
An expert in private aircraft charter, AEROAFFAIRES offers VIP, personalized service at the best price. Whatever aircraft you’re looking for, your dedicated flight consultant will provide 24/7 assistance up to 2 hours before your flight.
Nearly 95,000 passengers have already flown with AEROAFFAIRES, on more than 20,000 different private aircraft. Travelling with AEROAFFAIRES also means supporting our Sky CO2 program, which provides funding for the preservation of ecosystems in France.
Fill in our online quote, or contact us by telephone on +33 (0) 1 44 09 91 82 or by e-mail: charter@aeroaffaires.com
A question? Contact our airline experts
Isabelle CLERC
CEO AEROAFFAIRES
François-Xavier CLERC
Founder AEROAFFAIRES
Our airline experts remain at your disposal to help you at every stage of your reservation.
Go further
History of Athens airport
Prior to the opening of the current airport, Athens’ air traffic was handled by Hellinikon airport, located on the seafront a few kilometers south of the capital. Designed in the 1930s and long used as Greece’s main gateway, it had reached its limits in terms of capacity and safety.
The decision to build a new, modern hub was taken in the 1990s, as part of a public-private partnership unprecedented in Greece. The project was entrusted to a joint venture between the Greek state and the German Hochtief group, giving rise to Athens International Airport S.A. Work began in 1996 at Spata, on the Attic plain, and involved investments of over 4 billion euros.
The Elefthérios-Venizélos airport, named in tribute to the former Greek Prime Minister and figurehead of the country’s modernization, was inaugurated in March 2001. As soon as it opened, it was hailed as one of the most modern airports in Southeast Europe, with two parallel 4,000-meter runways and an initial capacity of 16 million passengers a year.
Since then, Athens airport has undergone several phases of expansion. Passenger numbers have risen from 11 million in 2002 to over 25 million in 2019, before the impact of the pandemic. In addition to its major role in commercial aviation, it has established itself as a benchmark hub for business aviation in the Eastern Mediterranean, with FBO services, private terminals and direct access to Greek island destinations.
Today, LGAV remains a showcase for Greek aviation: an airport designed to support the country’s tourism and economic growth, and a key connection point between Europe, Asia and the Middle East.