An entire brand new mobile hospital was recently transported from Athens International Airport to Kabul in Afghanistan. The hospital, provided by the Hellenic Army, including an intensive care unit, was opened in early August and will remain in operation for at least two years. The forty strong team of Greek doctors and nursing staff will provide a complete range of medical services and surgical operations.

The smooth, problem-free handling of this sensitive shipment was yet another demonstration of expertise available in dealing with special project cargo at Athens International airport. The Swissport Hellas cargo team, headed by Alex Panokis, took charge of the entire ground operation which involved 120,000 kilos which were loaded onto three separate AN 124 flights of Volga Dnepr. The whole job was finished within a week without a single hitch, much to the satisfaction of all concerned - the Hellenic Army as well as the airline and the Airport Authorities.

Since opening in 2001, average yearly cargo throughput is 110,000 tons, which is steadily growing.