Two long-abandoned aircraft at the Athens International Airport have been acquired by Cyprus based air charter group Zela Aviation.
In a push to inspire and preserve aviation history, the group have acquired and aim to restore for public display, a Boeing 727-284, named Mount Olympus, as well as the only Greek registered Hellenic Imperial Airways BAC 1-11.
Zela Aviation is looking to expand its presence in the Greek market and president Andreas Christodoulides explained why they acquired them.
“The exhibition of these two aircraft to the public will provide an opportunity for people, especially the younger generation, to travel back in time and discover the fascinating world of the aviation industry.”
The newer of the two planes is Mount Olympus, which was delivered to Olympic Airways in December 1968.
Part of a larger order made by Aristotle Onassis, it flew for 23 years with the same airline before retiring in 1992 and moved to Athens airport where it remains today.
It is one of several aircraft parked at Ellinikon (or Hellinikon) International Airport, the primary international gateway to Greece for 63 years before moving to the current location in 2001.
A final display location after restoration has yet to be confirmed.
The other plane, which is the BAC 1-11 was first delivered in 1996 and remains the only one of its kind to fly with a Greek registration.
Bearing the colours of the Hellenic Air Force, it is one of the only remaining aircraft of its type worldwide.
Initially it was to be transported to Cyprus and painted in the historic colours of Cyprus Airways, who have long operated that type of plane but the process was deemed too difficult.
Simple Flying report that once restored, it will be donated to Municipality of Lavrio and placed next to the city’s harbour.
Transportation and reassembly of the two aircraft will be undertaken by Greek lift specialist Notis Cranes.
