One of Athens’ most iconic signs is about to flicker back to life, after years of being turned off. Situated on the corner of Vouliagmeni and Alimou Avenues, in the southern suburb of Argyroupoli, the neon sign of Olympic Airways has been one of the city’s landmarks for decades.
It was installed in 1964, at the height of the ‘Onassis’ era, when Olympic Airways was not only the flag carrier of Greece, but a symbol of the country’s growth.
The sign also alerted drivers they were close to the (now abandoned) airport of Elliniko, and for decades was a meeting point for youth who set off for one of the many popular clubs in the area, making up the southern suburbs’ rich nightlife.
The sign was turned off in 2009, when Olympic Airways was sold to Aegean (it now operates as a subsidiary, trading as ‘Olympic Air’ and operating domestic flights) and it has since been abandoned to rust. Its restoration was part of the new Elliniko-Argiroupoly City Council’s election promise.
Now operating as part of the city’s assets, the sign was cleaned and repainted and is now ready to be lit up again on Wednesday 10 May.
