The Greek government on Tuesday tabled a draft bill in Parliament foreseeing compensation for Fraport Greece, which manages 14 regional airports around the country, along with the Athens International Airport (AIA), by countervailing payments owed by the two companies to the country’s privatization agency (HRADF).

The foreseen compensation for Fraport reaches 177.9 million euros; 130 million euros for AIA.

The compensation is due to repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic on air travel.

Fraport Greece last year reported a reduction in passenger traffic by 71.4 percent, compared to 2019. For the Athens International Airport the reduction was 68.4 percent.

In defending the draft bill, which was tabled in a relevant Parliamentary committee before being eligible for a vote by the plenary, Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said provision is absolutely necessary, as it affects crucial infrastructure in the country, whose smooth operation is intertwined with the regions they serve.

“Similar provisions have been extended by other governments around the world,” he said.

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