Fraport Greece appoints The Design Solution for Corfu Airport development planning

GREECE/UK. London-based airport planning and retail design specialist The Design Solution (TDS) has been appointed by Fraport Greece to lead development planning for a major terminal expansion and reconfiguration at Corfu (Ioannis Kapodistrias) International Airport.

The appointment forms part of Fraport Greece’s long-term investment programme across its regional airports portfolio, operated under the 40-year concession agreement signed with the Greek government in 2017. It covers 14 regional and island airports.

Through reconfiguration of terminal space and optimisation of passenger flows, TDS said its plans for Corfu Airport will deliver more than 1,200sq m of additional retail and food & beverage space, with the aim of strengthening non-aeronautical revenues.

The project follows the rebuilding of Corfu Airport’s terminal in 2020, which added almost 10,400sq m of space.

That programme included commercial areas designed by TDS for Hellenic Duty Free, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Avolta.

Corfu, among Greece’s busiest airports, is forecast to handle more than 4.6 million passengers in 2025, representing growth of over +6% year-on-year.

While the airport remains highly seasonal, traffic is increasingly extending into September and October as demand for late-season travel grows, TDS noted.

“This sustained growth is driving the need for additional operational capacity and enhanced commercial facilities,” the company said.

Under the new development programme, TDS will work with airport commercial consultancy Minerva, led by Director Jeremy Halse, to develop a comprehensive terminal masterplan.

The existing single-level terminal currently separates arrivals to the north and departures to the south. The proposed scheme includes extensions to both ends of the building to increase capacity across operational areas and to improve passenger flows between Schengen and non-Schengen zones.

Commercial development will be a central component of the project, with a particular focus on expanding the Schengen area.

TDS Managing Director Robbie Gill said: “The Design Solution is thrilled and proud to return to Corfu Airport through this exciting appointment by Fraport Greece. We know the airport well, having previously collaborated with Hellenic Duty Free on the design of the main duty-free store.

“Over the past two decades, we have delivered landmark projects at several airports where tourism traffic and seasonality are dominant features, including Malta, Larnaca, Paphos and Nice Côte d’Azur.

“Our team has a deep passion for the unique challenges of tourist destination airports, from managing extreme seasonality to creating memorable passenger experiences, and we understand the specific characteristics and needs of these airports.

“We look forward to utilising that extensive experience in helping Fraport Greece to deliver an airport that meets the island’s growing demand and enhances the passenger experience while celebrating its unique character and culture.”

Fraport Greece Executive Director, Commercial and Business Development George Vilos commented, “Kerkira Airport ‘Ioannis Kapodistrias’ serves as a gateway to one of Greece’s most emblematic tourist destinations, and Fraport Greece is committed to delivering an airport environment that enhances the island’s image.

“Given that offering a high-quality passenger experience is central to our strategy, the appointment of The Design Solution represents an important step toward designing a modern and efficient expanded terminal that effectively meets the expectations of today’s travellers.

“We are delighted to embark on this journey with TDS, which has extensive experience in managing the complexities of highly seasonal airport environments.

“We are confident that our collaboration will reinforce Corfu Airport’s role as a modern, customer-focused gateway for the years ahead.” ✈