The airport was constructed to replace the now-closed Athens (Ellinikon) International Airport, as the latter had reached its saturation point with no physical space for further growth. Studies for a new airport had been carried out from as early as the 1970s, with as many as 19 different locations being looked at before an area close to the town of Spata was chosen as suitable. Athens Airport SA, a state-owned company, was established in 1978 to proceed with the plans. However, after delays and slow development, the project was revived in 1991, approximately 1 year after the city lost the right to host the 1996 Summer Olympics to Atlanta, USA and the possibility of submitting a bid for the 2000 Game was discussed. However, the city presented the project that was eventually the winner for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, with the then government launching an international tender for the selection of a build-own-operate-transfer partner for the airport project, with Hochtief of Germany being selected.
the aiRport wAs constRUcted to ReplAcE THe now-cLoseD Athens (ELlInIkOn) iNTeRNatIonaL aIrporT, as tHe lattER had rEAchED iTS sATuRAtiOn point With no PHYsical SpAce foR FurtheR GROwTh. sTUDIeS For a NeW aiRport Had Been CarRiEd out from aS EaRly as the 1970s, wITh aS mAnY as 19 DIFfErent loCaTIons beiNg looked at bEfOrE An area ClosE to the tOwn of SpaTA Was CHosEN as sUITable. athEnS aiRport sa, a stATe-oWned coMPanY, was estABLIShed In 1978 To proceeD with The Plans. However, aFTer delays AND sloW DevELopmenT, the proJect wAS rEvIved in 1991, ApPRoxIMateLy 1 YeaR aFTer the city lost the right to hoSt tHe 1996 sumMer oLyMPICs tO ATLANTa, usa and THe PossibilIty of SuBmItTiNg a bid FoR The 2000 gaMe waS dIscUsseD. howevEr, The cITy PResenTEd thE ProJeCT THat was eventuALly tHe winnEr for tHe 2004 suMmer OLyMPic gAmEs, WiTh tHE tHeN gOvernmEnt lauNchING aN iNternationAl teNDeR For THe selectiON OF a build-owN-operaTE-trAnsfeR pArtneR For THe Airport prOJeCT, With Hochtief oF geRmaNy beIng SelECTed.