Airports are complex infrastructures that involve, among other things, air transport (passengers/cargo), aircraft parking, support services, commercial activities (shops, cafes), and flight management (air traffic control, aircraft maintenance). However, its usefulness can be expanded and -under the right conditions- present an important opportunity to showcase a country’s cultural wealth.

For example, at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, the largest airport in the country, there are four permanent exhibitions in addition to temporary exhibitions:

1. An exhibition of archaeological findings discovered in Mesogaia, containing 172 archaeological artifacts dating from the Neolithic and Early Helladic to the Post-Byzantine Periods.

2. The exhibition “Eleftherios Venizelos at Athens International Airport,” which chronicles the role of Eleftherios Venizelos in modern Greek history and in the establishment of the Ministry of Aviation in 1929.

3. An exhibition that houses the masterpieces of the Acropolis and also offers a glimpse into life in ancient Athens.

4. A permanent exhibition of a sculptural installation, from aluminum composite panels & vinyl letters.

In December 2025, the opening of the MOMus Air museum in the departure area of Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia”  was announced by the Ministry of Culture, the Metropolitan Organization of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki (MOMus), and Fraport Greece.

At the airport venue, MOMus Air showcases visual artworks and digital creations, and also has video walls projections and documentaries from the five museums of the MOMus network.

As Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni said, “MOMus Air is an excellent example of how culture can meet everyday life and accompany citizens even in the most unexpected places along their journey. This initiative enhances the outward focus of contemporary Greek creativity and makes Thessaloniki Airport a vibrant gateway to culture. The exhibition space transforms the departure area into a cultural landmark, connecting travel with the experience of contemporary art.

The project is a product of the collaboration between the airport management company and MOMus. As the President of the Organization stated: “MOMus Air would not have come to fruition without the practical support of the Ministry of Culture, which firmly supports our mission. Our warmest thanks also go to Fraport Greece for their excellent cooperation and for granting us such a central location at the largest airport in Northern Greece. With this new cultural gateway, MOMus is strengthening its outward orientation, promoting contemporary Greek creativity to an international audience, and contributing significantly to the enhancement of Thessaloniki’s image.”

MOMUS Air is part of the project “Enhancing digital projects and cultural exports of MOMus,” implemented under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0” with funding from the European Union – NextGenerationEU.

MOMUS, based in Thessaloniki, is a cultural organization comprising a network of five museums focusing on contemporary and modern creation, photography, and experimental artistic expression. It has a significant international presence.

Sources: AMNA, Athens International Airport, Ministry of Culture, MOMus

Image source: Ministry of Culture