Tourism minister says airport operator has already promised discounts in fees for off-season

Greek Tourism Vassilis Kikilias on Friday said Fraport Greece, which manages 14 prominent provincial airports around the east Mediterranean country, has already announced a 35-percent discount for all air carriers and all flights emanating from abroad during the upcoming winter season.

Kikilias made the statement in Hania, Crete, when asked by reporters about a possible reduction in airport fees at facilities managed by Fraport, in order to boost off-season tourism the country.

The minister is on a three-day tour of the large island, an international holiday destination. Among others, he presented what he called a plan to extend the tourist season in Greece, as well as to attract more foreign pensioners in the off-season.

Demands for lower airport fees in Greece were prominently made by low-cost carrier Ryanair previously, which currently flies to 11 out of the 14 airports managed by the German-Greek consortium.

“There’s a healthy competition. We see competition on an equal basis, which means all of the carriers should enjoy this discount,” he said.