Corfu International Airport Explained

Corfu International Airport "Ioannis Kapodistrias"
Nativename:Κρατικός Αερολιμένας Κέρκυρας
Nativename-A:"Ιωάννης Καποδίστριας"
Image2-Width:250
Iata:CFU
Icao:LGKR
Type:Public
Owner:Greek Government
Operator:Fraport Greece
City-Served:Corfu
Location:Garitsa, Corfu
Focus City:
Elevation-M:2
Elevation-F:6
Coordinates:39.6019°N 19.9117°W
Website:cfu-airport.gr
Pushpin Map:Greece
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Label:CFU
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Greece
R1-Number:16/34
R1-Length-M:2,373
R1-Length-F:7,785
R1-Surface:Asphalt
Stat-Year:2023
Stat1-Header:Passengers
Stat1-Data:4,068,053
Stat2-Header:Passenger traffic change
Stat2-Data: 8.5%
Stat3-Header:Aircraft movements
Stat3-Data:29,423
Stat4-Header:Aircraft movements change
Stat4-Data: 0.2%
Footnotes:Source: Greek AIP at HCAA[1]
Statistics: Fraport Greece[2]

Corfu International Airport "Ioannis Kapodistrias" (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Κρατικός Αερολιμένας Κέρκυρας "Ιωάννης Καποδίστριας") or Ioannis Kapodistrias (Capodistrias) International Airport is a government-owned airport on the Greek island of Corfu at Kerkyra, serving both scheduled and charter flights from European cities. Air traffic peaks during the summer season, between April and October.

The Ioannis Kapodistrias International Airport, named after Ioannis Kapodistrias, a distinguished Corfiot diplomat and the first governor of Greece,[3] is located around 2 kilometres south of Corfu Town, and half a kilometre north of Pontikonisi.[4] A 2021 study found that Corfu International Airport was one of the top 20 most vulnerable airports to climate change caused sea level rise.[5]

History

The airport was founded in 1937. During the Second World War, it was used by German and Italian forces as a base for transport and fighter aircraft.During the war the runway length was 600 m. By the end of April 1949, the length had reached 800 m. A further extension to 1,260 m took place by the end of 1951 to meet the then larger aircraft needs. The next and last extension of the runway began in 1957 and was completed in 1959, with a length of 2,373m.The first commercial flight took place on 19 April 1949 from Athens operated by TAE Greek National Airlines. On 2 September 1950, HELLAS also started flights to Corfu.In 1962, a small passenger terminal was built, which today accommodates the Corfu Aeroclub. In April 1965, the airport became International, with the inaugural overseas flight being operated by Olympic Airlines. The construction of the new passenger terminal began in 1968 and was completed in 1972.[6]

In December 2015, the privatisation of Corfu International Airport and 13 other regional airports of Greece was finalised with the signing of the agreement (as a joint venture) between Fraport AG/Copelouzos Group and state privatisation fund Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund.[7] "We signed the deal today," the head of Greece's privatisation agency HRADF, Stergios Pitsiorlas, told Reuters.[8] According to the agreement, the joint venture will operate the 14 airports (including Corfu International Airport) for 40 years as of 11 April 2017.

Fraport Greece's investment plan

On 22 March 2017, Fraport Greece presented its master plan for the 14 regional airports including Corfu International Airport.[9]

Immediate actions that were implemented as soon as Fraport-Greece took over operations included a general clean-up of the airport, improving lighting and sanitary facilities and the markings of airside areas, as well as offering free WiFi and ensuring fire safety standards are met throughout the airport and surrounding property.

The master plan also included changes which will be implemented under Fraport-Greece's investment plan prior to 2021. These changes include the remodeling and expansion of the current terminal as well as the construction of a new terminal. A Hold Baggage inline Screening System (HBS) will improve safety and efficiency, along with the refurbishment of the airport fire service, which will benefit from the reorganization of the airport apron area including the replacement of paving in this area. Also planned is the increase in the number of check-in desks from 22 to 28, and the number of departure gates to 12, as well as reorganisation of the security check lanes in the terminal.

Airlines and destinations

The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Corfu Airport:

Traffic figures

The data are from the official website of the airport.[10]

YearPassengers
DomesticInternationalTotal
2009305,5541,487,0111,792,565
2010282,3621,462,3991,744,761
2011264,3381,579,8351,844,173
2012231,2151,683,3071,914,522
2013217,2991,889,5282,106,827
2014236,9952,146,3832,383,378
2015252,5062,185,5102,438,016
2016298,8102,465,7492,764,559
2017295,7452,622,2052,917,950
2018340,3183,023,7973,364,115
2019 342,8442,933,0533,275,897
2020 140,471820,566961,037
2021 214,2111,830,4932,044,704
2022 345,1153,403,9913,749,106
2023372,4123,695,6414,068,053
2024(Jul)224.9792.025.2312.250.210

Traffic statistics by country (2023)

Place! style="text-align:center; width:150px; height:30px;"
CountryTotal pax
1 United Kingdom1.312.135
2 Germany715.138
3 Greece372.412
4 Italy319.560
5 Poland276.330
6 France184.837
7 Czech Republic122.943
8 Austria87.714
9 Netherlands84.022
10 Belgium69.162
11 Hungary64.283
12 Ireland58.537
13 Romania58.353
14 Israel49.326
15 Slovakia46.954

Source:[11]

Ground transport

By car or taxi, Corfu Airport is located 2.7 km from the city of Corfu and takes about 10 minutes. Bus services are provided between the airport and the city centre.[12]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Greek AIP at HCAA website . 7 August 2012 .
  2. Web site: KERKYRA AIRPORT "IOANNIS KAPODISTRIAS". 9 January 2018.
  3. Book: William Philip Chapman. Karystos: city-state and country town. 3 August 2012. 1993. Uptown Press. 163. Actually, Russia's distinguished diplomat and Foreign Minister, and later Greece's first president (1827-3 1)....
  4. Web site: 2003-04-22. Sangster International Airport privatised. 2020-12-07. Jamaica Gleaner.
  5. 2021-01-01. Global analysis of sea level rise risk to airports. Climate Risk Management. en. 31. 100266. 10.1016/j.crm.2020.100266. 2212-0963. Yesudian. Aaron N.. Dawson. Richard J.. 2021CliRM..3100266Y . 233747386. free.
  6. http://www.corfu-airport.com/corfu-airport-history.html Corfu Airport History
  7. Web site: Greece signs privatization of 14 regional airports with Germany's Fraport. TornosNews.gr. 4 May 2017.
  8. Web site: REFILE-UPDATE 1-Greece signs major privatisation deal with Germany's Fraport. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222102812/http://uk.reuters.com/article/eurozone-greece-privatisation-idUKL8N1431P720151214. dead. 22 December 2015. Uk.reuters.com. 4 May 2017.
  9. http://www.fraport-greece.com/eng/media-center/news/fraport-greeces-development-plan-for-the-new-era-at-the-greek-regional-airports "Fraport Greece’s Development Plan for the New Era at the Greek Regional Airports"
  10. Web site: Corfu Airport (CFU). www.cfu-airport.gr.
  11. Web site: Kerkira Airport "Ioannis Kapodistrias". Reporting period: January - December 2022. chq-airport.gr. 31 December 2023.
  12. Web site: Frequently Asked Questions. Astikoktelkerkyras.gr. 24 January 2019.