Passengers with Disabilities at Athens Airport

Athens International Airport (ATH) › Passengers with Disabilities

Athens Airport Accessibility Services

Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2006 requires that all passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility (PRM) are entitled to be provided with special services and amenities at all EU airports, free of charge. Therefore, all disabled passengers enjoy special assistance at Athens Airport at no extra cost. The regulation applies to persons with permanent or temporary disabilities. In detail, here are some of the passenger categories covered by the regulation:

• Passengers who require wheelchairs for long distances
• Passengers who need help boarding and disembarking the aircraft
• Completely immobile travelers
• Blind travelers and passengers with sight problems
• Passengers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or non-verbal
• Other cases (such as passengers with autism, Alzheimer’s disease, age-related conditions, intellectual disabilities, etc.).

Accessible Amenities at Athens Airport

Numerous services and amenities are available for passengers with disabilities flying to or from ATH Airport. The main airport in Greece is focused on providing a smooth travel experience for all travelers, including those with intellectual or physical disabilities who may struggle with procedures. To that end, it features the following amenities:

Drop-off and Pick-up Designated Zones

There are designated zones where passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility (PRM) can be dropped off to easily reach the terminal’s doors. Thus, there are three parking spots for temporary parking in the inner lane of Departures near Entrance 2. Moreover, there are two temporary parking spaces for disabled passengers arriving at El. Venizelos. They are located in the inner lane of Arrivals, near Entrance 4. Disabled passengers can be picked up from that location. Both the pick-up and drop-off areas can be found close to Designated Points, where travelers with disabilities can contact the Assistance Services Coordination Office of Athens Airport. Please note that to use these parking spots, you must display documentation proving the disability and a valid air ticket and must be accompanied by at least one person. Additionally, the parking spaces are strictly intended for temporary use only.

Accessible Parking at Athens Airport

All the Athens airport parking facilities feature designated areas for passengers with disabilities. Indeed, there are accessible parking spots at the short-term parking facilities (Short Term P1 and P2) and the Long Term Parking Lot. The accessible parking spaces are conveniently located near the exit doors. Passengers can park in these spots as long as they have documentation for their disability. Additionally, they benefit from reduced rates, paying just 5€/5.90$ per day for their parking spot. Overall, passengers are advised to call +30 210 3534260 before arriving at the airport or use the info buttons at the entry/exit points and automatic payment machines to contact the Customer Service Desk. This will help them make the most of the available services and ensure they receive the reduced rates.

Our Tip: For the time being, the Short Term P1 is relocated to the Long Term Parking Facility, as a new multi-story car park is under construction in its place.

Services for Passengers with Hearing Problems

A special service has been initiated by Athens Airport for deaf passengers and travelers with hearing problems, in collaboration with Skymakers’ EVENLY platform. The service aims to facilitate communication with the airport staff. Through a video call, passengers with hearing problems can book an appointment with a sign language translator and a customer service representative before arriving at the airport, or even communicate in real time with airport staff using the assistance of a sign language interpreter. The service is available at the Assistance Services Coordination Office for passengers with special needs and the Information Desks located on both the Arrivals and Departures levels. Service hours are from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm.

Services for Passengers with Sight Problems

Guided paths for blind travelers and persons with sight problems can be found at the airport’s railway station. They lead to the designated drop-off areas on the Departures level near Entrance 2 and to Designated Point No. 6 inside the Main Terminal, at the Departures check-in area. Moreover, Athens Airport features Braille signage and signs in contrasting colors that make the airport procedures smoother for passengers with poor vision, and all elevators are equipped with Braille floor buttons.

Other Accessible Services and Amenities at Athens Airport

Other accessible services are available for passengers with disabilities as well. Thus, all sidewalks are equipped with wheelchair ramps, and the elevators are accessible and spacious, allowing convenient use by passengers in wheelchairs. Plus, both terminals have dedicated areas at security screening, passport control, and gate control areas for travelers with accessibility needs. E-check-in points for passengers in wheelchairs are located near Entrances 1 and 4 on the Departures level of the Main Terminal. Special internet points are also provided there. Additionally, a designated waiting area for travelers with disabilities and PRMs can be found near Entrance 1 of the Main Terminal’s Departures pre-security (landside), and special seats are provided at the gate areas of the Main and Satellite Terminals. Water coolers that can be used by passengers in wheelchairs are also available inside the terminals, along with accessible restrooms. In personal emergencies, the airport offers an intercom system, and during emergency alarms, visual and audio alert devices are activated to assist passengers with sight or hearing impairments. Finally, a First Aid Station is located near Gate 8, and a pharmacy can be found in the Arrivals area between Entrances 4 and 5.

Traveling with Assistance Dogs

Do you travel with an assistance dog to a non-Schengen destination? Whether you are departing from Athens Airport or transiting between flights, you’ll find a designated area for pets and assistance dogs in the non-Schengen zone, just after passport control (airside). It is located near Gate A15.

Informative Brochures about Assisted Travel

Athens Airport offers informative brochures about its accessible services. They can be found in stands throughout the Main Terminal and can be accessed by passengers in wheelchairs as well. The brochure is also available in Braille format. If you want a brochure in Braille format, you’ll need to address the Assistance Services Coordination Office, located landside at the Main Terminal, close to Entrance 1, the Central Information Desk that can be found pre-security at the Departures level, between Entrances 2 and 3, and the Central Information Desk on the Arrivals area, near Entrance 3 (landside).

How to Ask for Special Assistance Before your Flight

Passengers are strongly advised to book special assistance in advance in order to receive the best quality services. As soon as they reach the airport, they have to approach the Designated Points for disabled passengers and PRMs or the check-in counters of their airline. Special services are provided as long as the passenger has a valid air ticket and is present at one of the Designated Points or their airline’s check-in counters at the time specified in writing by the airline or travel agent. If no specific time is given, passengers must be at these locations at least 2 hours before their flight. The airport will try to accommodate requests on shorter notice. However, the quality and availability of the provided services can’t be guaranteed.

In any case, passengers should notify their airline or travel agents about the assistance needed at least 48 hours before their flight. Moreover, if they are traveling with a wheelchair, scooter, or assistance dog, they should inform the airline or travel agent at least two days before departure. Passengers who don’t want to hand over their wheelchairs must inform their airlines in advance. On the other hand, if your personal mobility equipment gets lost or damaged, you should report it to the Lost and Found office of your airline in the baggage claim area. Regardless, you’ll be provided with replacement equipment to make your way through the airport.

The Designated Support Areas at Athens Airport

There are dedicated points scattered around Athens Airport where passengers with accessibility needs can notify their arrival at the airport. Explicitly, there are seven designated points around the Main Terminal of ATH Airport:

• Designated Point 1: at Entrance 1 of Departures
• Designated Point 2: at the Suburban Railway Station
• Designated Point 3: at Entrance 4 of Arrivals
• Designated Point 4: at the Short Term P2
• Designated Point 5: at the Short Term P1
• Designated Point 6: at the check-in area (near Entrance 2)
• Designated Point 7: at the entrance of the General Aviation Facility Building

On the other hand, the Assistance Services Coordination Office of Athens Airport can be found at the pre-security area of the Main terminal’s Departures, near Entrance 1. A waiting area for passengers with special needs and their accompanying persons can be found there. The office is staffed around the clock.

The Quality of the Provided Services

The services provided to passengers with disabilities or PRMs at Athens Airport are guaranteed, as long as they have a valid air ticket and arrive at the Designated Points or their airline’s check-in counter at the time specified by their travel agent or airline. If no specific time is notified, passengers should be at the check-in counters or Designated Points at least two hours before their flight.

If the above conditions apply but the services offered aren’t adequate, you should submit a written, official complaint to cqidept@aia.gr to the attention of Athens International Airport S.A. If the insufficiently provided service concerns the onboard service, you should contact the airline.

FAQs

Where is special assistance at Athens Airport?

The Special Assistance Services Coordination Office can be found landside at the Main terminal’s Departures of Athens Airport, near Entrance 1. Additionally, there are several Designated Points for passengers with disabilities and PRMs throughout the Main Terminal, both at the Arrivals and Departures. A Designated Point is also located at the General Aviation Facility Building.

How do I request assistance on Aegean?

If you need special services during your flight to or from Athens Airport with Aegean Airlines, you are strongly advised to inform the airline at least 48 hours before your flight by calling +30 210 6261000. You can also book the required assistance service during the online booking of your ticket.