Abandoned Athens Hellinikon East Airport
2016 ж. 4 Жел.
36 843 Рет қаралды
This is my 1st attempt to produce a short film about the Hellinikon East Airport. Purpose of this, is to document something which will not exist in couple of years from now as well as to keep the good memories we had working as aviation personnel at this airport. It is not my intention to use the film for financial or any other purposes.
I apologise for the poor quality of various video scenes, since my photographic equipment is not on a professional level.
If someone wants a copy of this short film, please contact me on FB or on my phone.
Thank you
Fanis
This was once a beautiful airport. So, so many lives have passed through those doors and so many events have happened in there. If only the walls could talk, you will hear ENDLESS stories. It brought back a lot of memories as I came here for the first time as a kid from The United States in 1974!!! Now I have been living here since then. Thank you for sharing this memorable video. Peace and Love ☮️✌️❤️to sunny🌅 Greece 🏖️🇬🇷🇺🇲
Thank you, sir for putting this video together. It brings back lots of good memories. As an assyrian man, We lived in Ano Kalamaki from 1978 to end of 1980 and then we moved to USA at the end of 1980. My brother and I were 9 and 10 years old when we moved to Greece in 1978 from Iran when the civil war started. Greece was and it is still an amazing country. The people, culture and nature are one of a kind. This was the airport that we landed in when we arrived in Greece and it was the airport that we left Greece. There was a Saint Joseph church on top of a hill in Ano Kalamaki that we'd walk to and watch all of the international airplanes descend very close to ground and over our head and land. This airport was truly an iconic landmark. It is sad to see it in this condition.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts commenting my video. Sounds as it was yesterday that most of us lived in kalamaki and Glyfada area "enjoying " the "sounds" of the airport. Now if you want to see what is happening today explore the site of Hellinikon experience park... as it is totally under construction and we expect that the building will stay as it was 10s of years ago. Have a good day.
Congratulations, Theofanis, for preserving our aviation history. I was blessed to witness and record the very last moments of our airport. Strongly sentimental moments, vivid memories! Thank you!
Modern architecture will never bring the same good feelings and philosophy as these wonders did
Μπράβο....ανεπανάληπτο...ζεστές θύμισες........ξεριζώνει όμως ( γλυκά) την καρδιά..... Στα σκαλοπάτια της transit πρωτογνώρισα την γυναίκα μου....πέρασαν 42 ολόκληρα χρόνια...
Ομορφες Εποχες !!!!!
Wow!!!💔😭i grew up in the 70s- 80s flying in and out of this and the other side olympic , countless memories❤️🇬🇷❤️🇺🇸❤️
Yeah you miss those Olympic flight attendants who never smiled and had the worst unfriendliest attitude i've ever seen.
The West Terminal was finally demolished last autumn. I believe the East Terminal you show here (the nice 60s building designed by Eero Saarinen) will be kept and renovated in the new urban renewal project.
Thanks a lot Theofanis, I was in this airport in summer 97 It was a very wonderful experience in my life, to know your country. I'm very sad for the abandoned airport when I remember to pass very beautiful moments. Best regards from Spain.
Thank you Fidel. Yes great memories, however as far as I know, the main building will remain after the reconstruction/development of the whole airport area.
Thank you. This is a very nice video. Brings back memories when I was younger flying into the terminal
THANK YOU...
So many memories, such a beautiful monument of mankind's triumph and technical expertise only to be permitted to sadly wither away. As you videoed through the grand concourses, my childhood recollections of those meticulously polished grand marble floors and staircases, the sounds and smells were joyfully revived. Hugs and warm welcomes from distant relatives and family members not seen in many years raced through my mind. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents "Papu's, Yayias", smiles and voices, just as if it were yesterday. Then onward to Olympic Eagle, once such a proud symbol of the national airline of Greece, safely carried me (and family) multiple times across the Atlantic - now silently faded and decayed. So disheartening to view such grand structures and beautiful architecture which could have been reallocated so it could continue her beautiful legacy, abandoned to endure such a tortious death. Thank you for permitting me to relive one last time within those immaculate hallways of once modern global transit. Σας ευχαριστώ
Thank you for your nice and touchy comments. I do appreciate them. Εγώ σας ευχαριστώ πολύ.
6 years of my life was there , working as handling agent. 6 wonderful years, full of sweet memories. And with this video , even though is sad , I can recall all of them . Now working at the Spata airport , after 28 years , I still remember with joy these early 6 ones . Thank you Mr Theofanidis for the video, and thank you for the wonderful cooperation we had , you as BA and we as GH.
Happy New Year 2024 dear @liou ( would be nice to know your name )... Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate your memories. Well... in my times BA tried to cooperate with all "involved" with respect and good intentions. My strong suggestion... record as much as you can such memories in the El. Venizelos... in order to share them in due time for the upcoming generations. Thank you again!!!
@@theofanissofianides9343 Nikos Lioudakis 😀
@@theofanissofianides9343 Νίκος Λιουδάκης
What good memories, Theofanis!!! I'm from Brazil and was there in may, 1998! Thanks!
thank you Fabio I appreciate your comments
Music - Waves of Love by Sergio Corro 😁😁 if anyone is interested
Creepy. I work in an abandon airport. We got one section for our volunteer group. Sometimes they film movies in it. Crazy thing is they still run the heating/AC. The airstrip is still in use as they moved the main terminal a mile away.
Thank you
Αδελφέ συγχαρητήρια για το βίντεο ...1967 1987 μια ζωή εκεί μέσα
Sad to watch this video. I remember this airport flying with my parents from NYC to Athens then waiting many hours to board the flight to Chios. Such fond memories. Thank you for posting!
Thank you for your comments. I come from Chios too and I am friend of michalis Xenakis, we were schoolmates.
@@theofanissofianides9343 What village are you from?
Amazing and very interesting video!
Космически прах thank you for watching my video.
Was at this airport in 1997 on a flight from Sydney to Belgrade via Athens. The flight from Sydney was on a 747-200 which may well be the one that's abandoned there today.
Thanks for sharing
Thank you
Efcharisto para poli theofanis 😊
Ευχαριστώ πολύ!!!
πόσες θύμησες.....και το ανατολικό και το δυτικό..... Progress is the name of the game.....ΜΕΓΑΛΗ ΚΟΥΒΕΝΤΑ !!!!!!!!
What "progress"? There was nothing wrong with the old airport. The rich *** in the southern suburbs were responsible for its demise.
Είναι θλιβερό να το βλέπεις έτσι... Ευχαριστούμε που το μοιράστηκες.
efxaristo, to ligotero pou mporousa na kano se ena xoro pou ezisa kai agapisa
@@theofanissofianides9343 Eheis video apo prosgeioseis/apogeiosis Saudia?
Congratulations Fanis for the video . It makes me very sad as i spend one and a half year ( the last for the airport) for the Installationand administration of the Cute system. Spend more that 16 hours daily for the said period inside and i was there also the first day after the airport moved to Spata. It was so quiet that your ears were paining from quiet.My office was in the basement (-1) next to macedonian airlines and SABENA- Panos.
Pan Der good morning. Thank you for your message. Yes this airport is still full of memories for all of us. Unfortunately in a few months the whole area will change dramatically as they will construct commercial and residential buildings. Have a good day.
6:45 οι σκάλες που ανέβαιναν οι επιβάτες των διεθνών πτήσεων όταν έφταναν. οι τζαμαρία πίσω ήταν στην καφετέρια αίθουσα αναμονής που είχες απεριόριστη θέα στην πίστα και μπορούσες να βλέπεις τις απο- προσγειώσεις. Συγκινούμαι έφερα στο μυαλό μου την εικόνα της συχωρεμένης θείας μου Myriam να ανεβαίνει χαμογελαστή στις κυλιόμενες όταν αυτή ερχόταν το καλοκαίρι από το Στρασβούργο! Tu me manques beaucoup Mimi!
Τέλειο. Καταπληκτικό.
ευχαριστω πολυ για το σχολιο
Excellent video 👍 You should do a video on the West terminal next.
Thank you so much. As I mention above access in now days is almost impossible... however I do have some material to do a veeeery small video. I hope soon.
One of the best airports I’ve visited ... sad that they will destroy everything to make this shit (they call it an investment but if you think a little bit more it’s not an investment)
It really was, and you know why? Because it had a pleasant atmosphere, and it was easy to get in and get out of especially the east terminal. I was travelling so much there in the 1980s. I agree it's not an investment its a government kickback venture.
Thank you.
Thank you too for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate.
Ο ανατολικός αερολιμένας με το μπαλκόνι θέασης, ήταν (καί είναι) αρχιτεκτονικό αριστούργημα... Η αναμονή με θέαμα απο-/ προσγειώσεις ήταν απόλαυση! Αργοτερα το 90 θυμάμαι καί την υπέρβαρη σκύλα που ζούσε στο Terminal με την παράκληση στους ταξιδιώτες να μην την ταίζουνε....
Μπράβο πολύ ωραίο βίντεο μακάρι να είχα ζήσει κι εγώ στιγμές Ελληνικού
Ego ezisa kai me thlivei pou eklise. Ta paidika mou xronia.
Thank you for this beautiful video! How did you get in? Do you need an official document, or can you get in without getting caught?
Thank you for your kind comment. Yes I had to apply for an access permit. I suppose you could get in but unfortunately not now. With the exception of the main building the rest have already been demolished. There is no point to get onto there anymore. THERE IS NOTHING. So we remain with our memories and the photos we had the chance to shoot. I do have approx 1500 photos and videos.
These are great pictures. If you look up Google Maps for Πρων Δυτικο Αεροδρομιο Ελληνικου, then click on the orange man icon on lower right corner, you'll see several blue dots. These are 360 photos. Too bad no one shot this airport in 360. If you went in there with a Ricoh Theta V, a GoPro Fusion, or Insta360 One X, it might take you days to walk out of this place.
the new Fallout 5 trailer certainly looks mesmerizing
Gracias por el video que realmente transmite tristeza que un lugar tan útil se desperdicie de esa manera mientras el país necesita empleo movilidad, una pena
Dear friend,(if I may call you so).... unfortunately I cannot understand what you are mentioning.... since my Spanish is zero. If you are so kind ... send your comments in English... or Greek xa xa xa
Brake my hart to se it empty like this I love that report I lived in Athena for 5 years I was 14 till 19 iam English but I love ❤️ Greece with all my hart and that report brings so much memories and happy ins
Thank you for your time to comment on my video.... we all have good memories but life proves that nothing stays for ever....
Thank you for posting this video
Fovero video efxaristw! Eidika ekei sto 2:10 me ton hlio na pernaei mesa apo tis kourtines kai na xtypaei to marmaro einai akrivws opws to thymamai to aerodromio. Ksereis mhpws an exoune tipota sxedia gia to ti tha to kanoune to ellhniko? Thanks
Efxaristo poli......oli I ektasi poulithike ston Latsi Kai tha gini mitropolitiko parko. To ktirio tou aerodromiou tha paramini . See project hellinikon Google Kai tha katalavis ...... kalo vradi.
ok thanks!
Hello, I'm a photographer and interested in taking a tour this year at the airport as you did. Is there an address to ask for access? Or is the area and the terminal building open?
tropenband hello to you too. Thank you for sending me this message, however...the whole issue is extremely complicated. No one knows, anymore, who is responsible for this area, which is the Company to take over the project Hellinikon. Possibly the Municipality of Hellinikon can give you some answers. Recently I tried to get into the abandoned west terminal but became impossible to find someone to contact. The whole area of the airport will become a Metropolitan Park sometime in the future but no one knows today which company owns the area.
Παιδάκι στριφογύριζα εκεί περιμένοντας τον πατέρα μου που ήταν ναυτικός και ταξίδευε πάντα με ξένες εταιρείες.
Πεταξα με PANAM και TWA τελευταία φορά από αυτό το αεροδρόμιο.......παράξενο και το αεροδρόμιο και οι εταιρείες έσβησαν.......κρίμα ωραίες αναμνήσεις.......
Hello, thank you for your work because thanks to you today everyone can see this airport. I wonder if this old East Terminal will become a museum integrated into the park or if it will be destroyed (which would be a great loss for the history of Greek aviation). I also wonder if it is possible to visit this airport which is the symbol of the golden age of Greek aviation. If you have any information, thank you for answering me. Thanks you for this video, good work!
Thank you for your comments. Unfortunately the airport does not exist as it was the time I made this video. Most of the buildings are demolished ....( see Hellinikon project ). As you correctly mention this video and lots of photos I have, consist a historical fact.
Μεγάλη θλίψη η μισή ζωή μου εκεί μέσα
Αυτός ακριβώς ήταν και ο λόγος που έφτιαξα αυτό το βίντεο... Αλλά όχι για να στεναχωριόμαστε αλλά να μη ξεχνάμε, να θυμόμαστε. Ευχαριστώ για το σχόλιο
And the best airline to grace Hellenikon ? Well Saudia of course. That green tail with the sword and palm trees was to die for:))
Cannot be forgotten..... SAUDIA
Kalimera, den Edo prosgeioseis Kai spogeioseis alla iparxoun images Edo ston ellada pou asxolounte me after... des...OLYMPIC AIRWAYS etc.
κάθε καλοκαιρι περιμενα το Νονο μου να ερθει από Καναδα με το 747 τωρα το εχουν σε δραματικη κατασταση ! το σακατεψαν
How did u manage to get access everywhere? Do you know about the current situation?
Good morning, well.... it was not easy at all !! Quite a few emails, telephone calls .... because at that time it was not clear who owns responsibility for this area. (private or public sector). My advantage was that I worked for so many years there and it was proven that my motive was purely positive and without a financial outcome. Today, as we speak, many of the buildings are demolished (only the main building remains) and the project HELLINIKON is in progress. I am preparing a new video which will show the " before and after". Thank you.
@@theofanissofianides9343 Goodmorning Theofanis, ah that's great to hear, I also wanted to try it this way but I just went haha. It was already in 2019. Because of Covid I couldn't go last year which was a big bummer. So I am wondering if the airport buildings are still there on the Ellinkon side. Like northeast on the area. Near the 'Alimos Lions Hocky Stadium' and 'Military base'. I still want to visit soon but I come from a long way.
@@djakkdjakkd still there but not for long.... I do not know if they will be there by the end of this summer. If will find time i wil shoot this specific area and send them 2 u if I know your mail.....
hello can i ask you is it legal to have access there ?? just askin thank you in advance
akapolko lko Hello to you too. When I did this project I had to apply for a legal permit. However since then the whole area has been sold to a private company and seems to be quite difficult, not to say impossible , to get a an authorization. This is because there is a serious argument with various entities, group of people etc. currently, all over the area of the old airport is guarded . If there is anything more you want do not hesitate to contact me using my email..... Sofianidestheo@gmail .com By the way what is your name?
How is it possible for a expansive complex of this type to remain unused for so long.
Paris Kalachnikov sorry for the late reply. The area has been sold to a private development company. Unfortunately in my country everything delays because of the well known conflict of interest.
do you have instagram or Facebook?
Tim Wiedemann yes Tim... FB : Theofanis Sofianidis, check the same name in Instagram. Thank you.
Tim Wiedemann yes I do. FB Theofanis Sofianidis also send an invitation to messenger so we can chat.
Nice. But how did you manage to get in?
i got a permission from "attica akinita". i was escorted by a security person at ALL TIMES.
www.atticahouse.gr ?
Theofanis Sofianides where do you call to get permission?
@@theofanissofianides9343 Do you have any contact number or any email please? Because Im trying to find them but so far with no success
I flew to/from Hellinikon many times in the 80-90s. How come it's still there after 20 years? It's right by the sea, why not demolish and develope it?!
Just a year now the demolition has began, throughout the airport area with the exception of the main terminal building which will be kept according to the development plan. Thank you for your comment.
😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
I never saw the airport, I was born in 2003
the planes look usable
Thank you for your comment... no these planes are totally unusable. They belong to the OLYMPIC Airways history...
@@theofanissofianides9343 ahhh. Thank you for the reply
Much like the Acropolis, the airport has been left in ruin.
The Acropolis is thousands of years old, like Stonehenge, and witnessed centuries of wars and natural disasters. In modern times they do a very good job preserving it.
😃
it's gone now.
not only did they lose the cost of this airport they had to build another one
,,2001 OLYMPIC“
I flew from Glasgow to Athens to go to syros by ferry I have seen the blue seats me n my wife say on out side in the sun at the Olympic office .Great memories of Greece from 21 to age 40 ,better times
@@Crosshatch1212 Yes. Hellenikon reflected a better time as you say in Athens and in Greece in general.
Why is the airport closed?
LB 06 the airport closed due to the construction of the new airport which opened back in 2001 in another location. Thank you
@@theofanissofianides9343 Thanks
Because of scumbag politicians and their corporate buddies.
Tο μπαρ με τον Θανάση μετά κύριο Θανάσηνπου έχει πεθάνει ;;;πλέον στο εισιτήριο στον πρώτο ήταν ο Στέλιος
Ποτέ δεν κατάλαβα τι εννοεί κάποιος με τη λέξη ανάπτυξη . Την διάλυση της ελληνικής ιστορίας ; Γιατί μισούμε την καταγωγή μας ; Μήπως μισούμε την ίδια μας την ύπαρξη ; Γιατί να ντρεπόμαστε για την ιστορία μας ; Γιατί πρέπει να διαγράφουμε ότι μας θυμίζει την ιστορία μας . Καθένας πρέπει να είναι περήφανος για αυτό που είναι . Για την πατρίδα του που τον έκανε άνθρωπο . Εκτός βέβαια από αυτούς που δεν είναι άνθρωποι...Όποιος μισεί αυτό που τον διαμόρφωσε σε αυτό που είναι ας πάει αλλού να δει τη γλύκα. Γιατί αυτοί που αρνούνται την Ελλάδα και την ιστορία της μόνο λένε αλλά δεν φεύγουν ; Και όσοι μας κράζουν από μακρυά έρχονται εδώ για διακοπές ; Δεν έχουν άποψη δικιά τους μόνο να κρίνουν τους άλλους . Η Ελλάδα είναι η πατρίδα τους μόνο όταν την καταχραζονται. Όταν είναι να προσφέρουν ... φεύγουν σαν το Mirage . Όποιος διαγράφει το παρελθόν του διαγράφει και το μέλλον του . Γιατί όποιος δεν ξεπουλαει το παρελθόν του για τα λεφτά και δεν θέλει να σβήσει οτιδήποτε με άρωμα Ελλάδας να του κολλάνε τη ρετσινια ότι δεν θέλει ανάπτυξη . Δηλαδή ή υποαναπτυκτος ή πρόβατο ; Όποιος δεν είναι περήφανος για την καταγωγή του ας φύγει σε μέρος που θα είναι καλύτερα για αυτόν . Σίγουρα αυτό θα είναι καλύτερα και για τους γύρω του . Αλλά είπαμε... Προοδευτικότητα είναι να λησμονηθεί η ιστορία μας ...
Καλησπέρα σας, Ευχαριστώ πολύ για τα σχόλια σας με τα οποία συμφωνώ. Σκοπός του βίντεο είναι ακριβώς αυτός, δηλαδή αυτό το αεροδρόμιο δεν είναι μόνο κτήρια, είναι περισσότερο... οι στιγμές που περάσαμε δουλεύοντας μέσα σε αυτό για πολλά χρόνια και που μέσα στους χώρους του δημιουργήσαμε ανθρώπινες σχέσεις που κρατάνε στον χρόνο. Δεν μπορούμε να ξεχασουμε και δεν είναι σωστό να ξεχάσουμε.
@@theofanissofianides9343 να είσαι περήφανος που δούλεψες στον Ελληνικό . Εγώ δυστυχώς όχι . Το έχω ζήσει μόνο ως επιβάτης τότε και ως εθελοντής τώρα . Απλά το λατρεύω ως αεροδρόμιο με τόση ιστορία που έχει .
Εθελοντής?... τι εννοείτε?
@@theofanissofianides9343 Αν και δε μένω Αθήνα πηγαίνω οπότε μπορώ από οικονομική και χρονική άποψη και βοηθάω στη συντήρηση των αεροσκαφών και επίγειων μέσων που βρίσκονται εκεί και ανήκουν στο πολκεοα .
Very sad im from greece and i dont like to see the air port lile that😂😂
Don’t be sorry change and evolution is the name of the game. The main building will remain as is. Thank you for your comment
Ξερεις πως μπορεις να μπεις μεσα φιλε μου
Καλησπέρα. Δυστυχώς δεν μπαίνεις πια, άλλωστε δεν υπάρχει τίποτα έχουν κατεδαφιστεί τα περισσότερα. Δες το site THE HELLINIKON EXPERIENCE
@@theofanissofianides9343 Κριμα.Τουλαχιστον να μπουν τα αεροπλανα σε καποιο μουσειο.Μετα απο τοσα χρονια διατηρουν την ομορφια τους.
Perché è stato abbandonato ?
è stato abbandonato perchè tutti i voli partono dal 2001 dal nuovo aeroporto "eleftherios venizelos".
A new airport was build far away from a residential area.
a new airport was constructed outside the residential area of Athens.
I suppose for the olympic games in 2004
another drone video of this airport: kzhead.info/sun/qNOMZNmQkXOIqYE/bejne.html
Bravo! Πολύ καλό!!
Κρίμα κρίμα θα μπορούσε να λειτουργεί ως βοηθητικό αεροδρομιο όπως σε άλλες πρωτεύουσες
Kostas βρανας ευχαριστώ που το είδατε.... σε λίγο καιρό δεν θα υπάρχει. Το μόνο θετικό ειναι ότι, απο ότι πληροφορούμαι, το κτήριο θα μείνει, κάτι σαν διατηρητέο...
@@theofanissofianides9343 μακάρι να σωθεί κάποιο κτήριο έστω
@@theofanissofianides9343 Enoeis to east Terminal tou Eero Sarinen?
@@gregcosta6965 what?????
@@theofanissofianides9343 I was talking about if they tear down both terminals?
Where the last TWA 747-100 departed
Good day.... honestly I don't know.... I will ask and will come back 2 u
Is it just me or did there used to be a military tank outside the airport? Anyone got a pic?
Bigup West London yes u r right. There is a water tank before u reach the old airport in an area which used to be the American air forces base. I have a picture so send me your email and I will fwd it to u. Reds Fanis
ξυπναει αναμνησεις σε οσους απο εμας εχουν πεταξει απο τον αερολιμενα αυτον.μεγα εγκλημα η μη συνεχιση λειτουργιας ως αεροδρομιου τσαρτερ ή κατι αναλογο
People are so wasteful they make me sick . all that could be used .but. No .just trash it
Thank you for commenting, however there is a mixture of feelings and point of view approaches. Most of the viewers agree with you.
It's the greek way. If it's old discard it or mistreat it not restore and preserve like they do so many other countries.
Στις μέρες μας δεν είναι δυνατόν να μπει κάποιος.?
καλησπερα, ειναι παρα πολυ δυσκολο, πολυπλοκο και μεχρι καποιος να τα καταφερει θα εχει αλλαξει ολο το τοπιο. Ηδη εχουν ξεκινησει οι κατεδαφισεις με εξαιρεση το κεντρικο κτηριο το οποιο οπως λενε θα παραμεινει. ο χωρος φυλασεται.
Who cares about an airtport closing they built a better one now
Thanks for your comment.
my opinion lots of people visited this airport It’s nostalgic
@@AstKZhead yeagh ill bck that up with my opinion .loved it
Your opinion means squat. The new is not better. It's a white matchbox with no personality whatsoever.
Wow!!!💔😭i grew up in the 70s- 80s flying in and out of this and the other side olympic , countless memories❤️🇬🇷❤️🇺🇸❤️