Following years of economic downturn, prospects for both passenger and cargo look promising. For the first four months of 2014, January to April, cargo traffic was 24,723 tonnes, an increase of 3.21% over 2013, a modest improvement but a positive trend.  As part of the airport’s relentless pursuit of improved facilities and customer satisfaction, there will be a renewal of ground handling services in early 2015. For the third time since the new airport was opened in 2001, Athens International Airport announced in early May, that it is once again inviting tenders for ground services. This covers freight and mail, baggage, ramp, aircraft fuelling and catering ramp services. The current cargo handlers include Goldair Handling, Skyserv Handling Services (previously Olympic Handling) and Swissport Hellas. Expression of interest for All tenders is required by June 3rd and details are available on the airport website (see below)  Lina Palli from the airport’s cargo management team was also pleased to report that the first e-AWB from Athens to Dubai from Emirates Skycargo, has been officially recorded by IATA. DHL Global forwarding was the agent with the cargo handled by Goldair Handling.