Greek court hears appeal against airports deal

The Council of State on Friday began hearing an appeal by a collection of groups against the privatization of Greece’s regional airports.

The government recently signed a deal with German firm Fraport for the 40-year-lease of 14 airports around Greece but the municipalities affected, bar associations, Civil Aviation Authority employees and others have appealed against the decision, claiming it is unconstitutional.

Fraport is due to invest more than 1.4 billion euros during the period of the lease but activists claim that the agreement is detrimental to the Greek economy.