This Saturday, September 7th, marks the launch of a groundbreaking cruise passenger processing system, a collaboration between Athens International Airport and the Port of Piraeus. The new system, designed to streamline the check-in process, allows cruise passengers to complete their check-in away from the airport, reducing unnecessary wait times and giving them more time to enjoy their vacation.
The innovative service connects Athens Airport with the Piraeus Cruise Terminal and involves key ground service providers, Skyserv and Swissport Greece. Their partnership is crucial in managing the transportation and handling of luggage for cruise passengers, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.
Under the “off-airport check-in” system, arriving cruise passengers in Athens will be directly shuttled from the port to their cruise ship, with Skyserv and Swissport Greece handling their luggage separately. The luggage will be transported via dedicated trucks to the airport’s apron for direct loading onto aircraft, allowing passengers to bypass traditional airport check-in procedures.
One of the major advantages of this system is that it gives cruise passengers more time to explore Athens. For those departing Athens at the end of their cruise, the off-airport check-in service offers additional convenience. Passengers will receive their boarding passes while still on the cruise ship, and their luggage will be separately transported to the airport. After undergoing security X-ray screening, the luggage will be directly loaded onto their flights.
With this extra free time, passengers can take advantage of short tours within the Attica region, including visits to the historic and cultural sites of central Athens.
This new system comes as Piraeus, Greece’s busiest port, celebrates a historic milestone. In 2023, the port served approximately 1.5 million cruise passengers, a significant increase from the 880,000 passengers in 2022.
