Interview with the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Dimas
by Lillian Psylla
In the global tourism economy, infrastructure is no longer a background condition. It is a defining factor of credibility, resilience, and long-term competitiveness.
As Greece enters a new post-pandemic cycle of investment and repositioning, transport networks, urban mobility, and large-scale public works are emerging as strategic pillars of national growth and destination quality.
“Public infrastructure and modern transport networks have acted as accelerators of growth and competitiveness for the Greek economy.”
In this interview, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport outlines the progress achieved since 2020, the major projects currently reshaping connectivity across the country, and the long-term vision guiding Greece’s infrastructural transformation. From metropolitan transport systems and regional road networks to airports of national significance, infrastructure is presented not merely as development policy, but as national legacy.
How do you assess the current state of Greece’s transport and tourism infrastructure, and which do you consider the most substantial steps forward achieved since 2020?
After a period marked by successive and multi-layered crises, Greece has managed to regain its growth momentum while strengthening its international credibility.
Specifically, after 2020, the country was called upon to manage a dual challenge: recovery following the pandemic, and transition to a more resilient and modern development model.
Public infrastructure and modern transport networks played a decisive role, acting as accelerators of growth and competitiveness.
“Every project enhances infrastructure, strengthens social cohesion,
and upgrades the visitor experience.”
Major road and railway projects have been accelerated, ports and airports upgraded, and connectivity strengthened between mainland and island destinations.
Indicatively, the completion of 75 km of the Patras–Pyrgos motorway improved accessibility and transport safety.
The Thessaloniki Metro has been completed, reducing congestion by 15%.
Metro Line 3 extension to Piraeus ensured direct connectivity between the airport and Greece’s largest port.
Which current investments in transport and infrastructure are expected to have the greatest impact on visitor experience and Greece’s international image?
Every project aims to upgrade infrastructure, strengthen social cohesion, and ensure progress, while simultaneously enhancing visitor experience and reinforcing Greece’s international image.
At present, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is implementing an extensive portfolio of projects across the country, including road, urban transport, railway, flood protection projects, as well as hundreds of projects in education, health, and justice.
“Our priority is a modern, resilient,
and environmentally sustainable infrastructure network.”
Among flagship road projects is the completion of the northern section of the E65 motorway and its connection to the Egnatia Motorway, scheduled for delivery by the end of the first half of 2026. This project is expected to significantly boost tourism by improving accessibility to popular destinations through a modern road axis linking Central Greece and Thessaly with Western Macedonia and Epirus, from Lamia to Grevena.
Equally significant is the Northern Road Axis of Crete (VOAK), which has now entered the construction phase, marking one of the largest infrastructure projects on the island.
In urban transport, Metro Line 4, running from Alsos Veikou to Goudi with 15 new stations in densely populated areas of Athens, constitutes the largest public project currently under implementation in the country. The tunnel boring machine “Athena” has successfully completed a demanding 5.1 km underground route, while its counterpart “Niki” is advancing from the opposite direction.
In parallel, the renewal of the urban bus fleet in Athens and Thessaloniki continues, with the integration of electric and low-emission vehicles. Nearly two-thirds of the fleet has already been renewed, with 1,000 new buses operating in Athens and approximately 500 in Thessaloniki.
What is the Ministry’s vision for future investments and how will they support Greece’s competitiveness over the next decade?
Our priority is the creation of a modern, resilient, and environmentally sustainable infrastructure and transport network that enhances national connectivity and upgrades the visitor experience.
A flagship example is the new International Airport of Heraklion at Kastelli, a project of national importance that will replace the existing airport, currently Greece’s second busiest, serving over 10 million passengers in 2025. Project progress has reached 67%, and tenders for air navigation systems have been launched, within the broader aviation reform framework.
Combined with major road, rail, and urban interventions underway, Greece is shaping an integrated infrastructure ecosystem that enhances accessibility, sustainability, and international competitiveness, reinforcing its position as a reliable tourism destination for the next decade.
