The Pan-Hellenic association ‘Environmental Harmony’ has sent an open letter of protest to the management of Athens International Airport, in response to the changes planned for the airport’s operational plan over the coming months. The association claims that these changes will lead to the suspension of protective measures for the surrounding areas — and Artemida is one of the first to need them.
The association outlines a cost that residents are already well aware of: noise, air pollution, night-time flights over residential areas, and constant disturbance. There are four specific demands: an extension of protective measures and restrictions on operating hours, substantial restrictions on night-time flights, fully funded soundproofing of homes, and effective monitoring and supervision of their implementation.
The criticism of the process is particularly sharp. A telephone briefing from the airport’s relevant environmental department and a few letters to the local authorities do not constitute a consultation, the letter notes, citing the Aarhus Convention on public participation in environmental matters. Consultation must take place before decisions are made, not after they have been made.
As a counter-example, the association cites Vienna Airport, where a long-running mediation process involving local authorities and citizens’ organisations resulted in agreements on noise limits, night-time flights, soundproofing of homes and the establishment of an environmental fund. The letter calls for immediate action by the affected local authorities, the Region of Attica, the civil aviation authorities and the relevant ministries.
Meanwhile, the Municipality of Spata-Artemida has still not made an official statement on this matter. On 10 July 2026, a petition bearing 114 residents’ signatures was submitted to the Municipality, with reference number 804, regarding aircraft noise and the new PBN navigation procedures, which may alter aircraft flight paths over residential areas.
On 4 August, at the municipal council meeting, councillor Myrto Tsigouli asked why the matter had not been brought up for discussion. The mayor, Dimitris Markou, replied that the request had been sent to the relevant departments and the legal department for advice, and that it would be tabled once the review had been completed.
At the meeting on 8 September, with 17 items on the agenda, the issue of aircraft noise was once again left off the agenda. Two months after the signatures were submitted, residents have still not heard their council take a stance on the matter.
It should be noted that the local authorities and residents of Rafina, Pikermi, Markopoulo, Spata and Artemida have already taken legal action, filing a lawsuit and applying for interim measures regarding noise pollution from ‘Eleftherios Venizelos’.
Source: spata-artemis.com, markopoulo.gr
