Alexandroupoli Airport

Alexandroupoli Airport "Dimokritos" or "Democritus"[1] (Greek: Κρατικός Αερολιμένας Αλεξανδρούπολης "Δημόκριτος",[2] Kratikós Aeroliménas Alexandrúpolis "Dimókritos") (IATA: AXD, ICAO: LGAL) is an airport 7 km east of Alexandroupolis in northeastern Greece on main national road E90. It is located near the village of Apalos, which belongs to the municipality of Alexandroupoli. The airport was built in 1944. In 1955, it became an international airport; the current buildings and runway were constructed in 1975.[5]

Alexandroupoli Airport "Dimokritos"[1]

Κρατικός Αερολιμένας Αλεξανδρούπολης "Δημόκριτος"[2]
Summary
OwnerGreek state
OperatorHCAA
ServesAlexandroupoli
LocationApalos, Greece
Elevation AMSL24 ft / 7 m
Coordinates40°51′21.13″N 025°57′22.55″E
Map
AXD is located in Greece
AXD
AXD
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
07/25 8,471 2,582 Asphalt
Statistics (2018)
Passengers211,954
Passenger traffic changeIncrease 25.7%
Aircraft movements2,883
Aircraft movements changeIncrease 20.1%
Sources:HCAA,[3] World Aero Data[4]

The airport was named after Democritus, the ancient philosopher born in Abdera.

Airlines and destinations
AirlinesDestinations
Aegean Airlines Athens
Seasonal: Heraklion[6]
Sky Express Athens,[7] Sitia[8]

Statistics
Annual passenger traffic at AXD airport. See Wikidata query.

2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt
Main article: 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt

On Saturday 16 July 2016, at 11:42 am (UTC+2), a Turkish Black Hawk helicopter sent a distress signal and requested permission for an emergency landing to Greek authorities and landed 8 minutes later (11:50) at the airport after an unsuccessful coup in Turkey. Two Greek F-16s observed the procedure and escorted the helicopter to the airport. Eight Turkish military officers, who were on the helicopter, were arrested after landing. They were transferred to the local police station, while the helicopter was guarded at the airport by the Greek authorities. They were charged with illegal entry into the country. Seven were also charged of instigating illegal flight, while the eighth, who was piloting the helicopter, was accused of executing the illegal flight. The eight officers all requested political asylum in Greece. At night (after 11:00 p.m. (EEST) a second Turkish Black Hawk helicopter with extra crew members arrived at the Greek airport from Turkey in order to retrieve the first helicopter; after the crew checked the helicopter, both helicopters returned to Turkey early on the morning of 17 July.[9][10]

See also

References
  1. "ALEXANDROUPOLI AIRPORT "DIMOKRITOS"". ypa.gr. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  2. "ΚΡΑΤΙΚΟΣ ΑΕΡΟΛΙΜΕΝΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥΠΟΛΗΣ "ΔΗΜΟΚΡΙΤΟΣ" (ΚΑΑΛΔ)". ypa.gr. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  3. "KAVALA AIRPORT "M.ALEXANDROS"". ypa.gr. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  4. "World Aero Data: DIMOKRITOS -- LGAL". worldaerodata.com. Archived from the original on 2009-12-31. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
  5. "Alexandroupolis Airport Information". alxd.gr. Archived from the original on 2006-02-11.
  6. "Αεροπορική επανασύνδεση της Αλεξανδρούπολης με το Ηράκλειο Κρήτης".
  7. "Sky Express and Cyprus Airways Sign Interline Agreement". Greek Travel Pages. 2019-09-24. Archived from the original on 2022-08-15. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  8. "Mobility and transport" (PDF). 24 May 2023.
  9. "Τουρκικό πλήρωμα στην Αλεξανδρούπολη για να πάρει πίσω το ελικόπτερο". protothema.
  10. "Στην Αλεξανδρούπολη το πλήρωμα που θα παραλάβει το τουρκικό ελικόπτερο". naftemporiki. Archived from the original on 2016-07-19. Retrieved 2016-07-20.


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