Athens Airport. Photo: Amit Cotler Athens International Airport is joining the Earth Hour initiative for the 15th year. Taking place tomorrow, Saturday, March 28, 2026, the initiative will see the airport turn off the lights on the western runway 03L/21R system and cease operations for one hour, between 20:30 and 21:30 (local time).
At the same time, the airport will reduce lightning in the terminal buildings, employee parking lots, and other areas of the complex. During the hour, informational activities will take place, including announcements to passengers and the screening of a dedicated video on the screens in the central terminal, with the aim of increasing awareness of the issue of climate change.
Photo: Athens International AirportAirport employees are also invited to participate from home by turning off their lights. Many stores in the airport's commercial complex are expected to take part in the event.
Athens Airport has been working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for years. Since 2009, it has participated in the Airports Council International Europe's Airport Carbon Accreditation program, and in 2023 it was upgraded to a 4+ rating, which includes expanding collaborations with external parties and deepening monitoring of additional emission sources.
This year, a 35.5-megawatt photovoltaic power plant was built on the airport grounds , joining an existing 16-megawatt facility. Together, the systems enable the production of electricity from renewable energy on a scale that meets the airport's electricity consumption, alongside the use of an energy storage system with a capacity of 82 megawatts per hour.