THE FUTURE OF PAROS AIRPORT: LOCAL COUNCIL FORMS ACTION COMMITTEE
In a move that highlights both urgency and determination, the Municipality of Paros has announced the creation of an Action Committee tasked with ensuring the completion of the island’s new airport. The decision, made unanimously by the Municipal Council during an extraordinary meeting held on 17 July 2025, comes in response to the project’s recent exclusion from the EU’s 2014–2020 funding programme (ESPA).
Why was the airport project removed from ESPA?
The airport project, originally included in the ESPA programme, was formally removed by the managing authority of the “Transport” Operational Programme 2021–2027. The reason: the construction timeline had fallen too far behind. With the works now expected to conclude in January 2028, the project can no longer meet the February 2026 deadline for submission as a completed, operational infrastructure. EU regulations do not allow projects to remain within the programme as “incomplete” beyond February 2027.
Decades in the Making
Paros’ new airport has been in the works since the mid-1990s, and has long been seen as vital for the island’s growth. The mayor of Paros, Mr. Konstantinos Bizas, provided a full briefing during the Council meeting, outlining the long timeline, the many bureaucratic and legal challenges, and the active role played by the local community in supporting the project. Despite this strong local commitment, delays and administrative complications have repeatedly pushed the project back.
The role of the action committee
The newly formed Committee will take on three key responsibilities:
Inform the local population about the causes and consequences of the project’s exclusion from funding, and organise a broad mobilisation to ensure its completion.
Engage with central government by sending a formal letter to the Prime Minister’s Office and the relevant ministers, requesting immediate attention and intervention.
Pursue alternative funding solutions, including a meeting with the Minister of Infrastructure and Members of Parliament from the Cyclades.
The Committee includes representatives from local government, tourism, utilities, and commerce. It will be led by Mayor Bizas, with participation from the Deputy Governor of Paros–Antiparos, heads of local political groups, and representatives of the Hotel Association and Cyclades Chamber of Commerce. There is also a proposal to include a legal expert and a construction-sector representative.
A message from the Mayor
Mayor Bizas emphasized that the airport is not just another project, it is a matter of fairness and necessity for Paros:
“The image of an unfinished airport harms both Paros and Greek tourism. It is unacceptable for a project that has been in planning for decades to remain suspended. The airport is essential for the island’s tourism, economy, and daily life. It is our duty to ensure its completion, not only for today’s residents but for future generations. Paros speaks with one voice to demand that this major injustice be corrected.”
What’s next?
The formation of the Action Committee marks a coordinated response to what many consider a major setback. But it also reflects the island’s resolve. In the coming weeks, the Committee is expected to begin public engagement efforts, initiate contact with government bodies, and propose viable paths forward. With tourism continuing to grow and connectivity playing an ever-greater role in local development, completing the new airport is no longer just a goal, it’s a necessity.