Earlier, the Greek government had set a 6th of May deadline for the submission of bids to build the Kasteli airport in Crete. The estimated cost of the project is 850 million euros. Under the conditions of the financial crisis, Greece desperately needs to attract foreign investments. Kasteli will be Greece's fourth biggest airport and will replace the island's outdated Heraklion airport.
The expected bidders are France's Vinci, jointly with Greek contractor Ellaktor; Spain's ACS with GEK-Terna; and the China State Construction Engineering and their joint venture partner Zurich Airport.