RWYs 03L/R will normally be used in preference to RWYs 21L/R when tailwind component is not greater than 5 kts and the RWYs surfaces are dry.

Arrivals

Speed restrictions

A speed limitation of 250 kts IAS maximum applies to all flights below 3 050m (10 000 ft ) AMSL within ATH TMA. Pilots of aircraft types, which for technical or safety reasons cannot maintain this speed, shall inform ATHINAI APP on initial contact and a suitable instruction shall be issued by ATHINAI APP. 

Furthermore, the following speed limits apply to arriving aircraft within ATH TMA for separation reasons, are mandatory and shall be flown as accurately as possible, unless otherwise instructed by ATHINAI APP:

- 220kts IAS at or below 5000ft, when established on the final approach course or until 14NM from the landing threshold, whichever occurs first

- 180kts IAS at a distance of 8NM from the landing threshold

- 160kts IAS at a distance of 6NM from the landing threshold

Simultaneous approaches

Instrument or visual approaches are conducted to one runway while independent visual approaches may be conducted simultaneously to the other runway, used mainly for departures, provided that:

• Weather is CAVOK and it is daytime.
• The aircraft that is expected to be vectored for visual approach is advised as early as practicable by ATC as follows: "Expect vectoring to establish ILS localizer for independent visual approach to runway (number)".
• The pilot accepts it.
• The pilot should report "visual" and/or "runway (number) in sight" as soon as possible.
• The pilot maintains own separation with the preceding aircraft on the same or on the adjacent localizer.
• The pilot is responsible for wake turbulence separation (don’t worry, it is the ATC’s responsibility to issue a wake turbulence warning).
• Advise ATC immediately if unable to execute the approach. ATC will then help you out of the situation.

Change of landing runway

To avoid a go­around and/or to ensure the maintenance of separation, ATC may offer an aircraft, already established on final, a change of runway for the execution of a visual approach to the adjacent runway, followed with the localizer frequency of that runway. This offer can take place only during daytime, in VMC, and at least 5 nm of the runway threshold. The pilot has the right to accept it or not. This change of runway may also take place after a pilot’s request.

Departures

Intersection takeoffs

Intersection takeoffs may be requested by ATC or by the pilot. Daytime and visibility more than 5 km are required. A request for intersection takeoff is: "Request departure from runway (number), intersection (name of intersection)". When the intersection is reached, the pilot must say: "Venizelos Tower, (aircraft callsign), at the intersection (name), ready for departure runway (name)". It should be noted that due to fuselage length the following aircraft are exempted: B747, B777, B767­400, A340, A330, MD11, IL86, and IL96M.

VMC Departure

VMC Departure RWY 21L: During daytime and VMC up to 5000 ft or above, aircraft departing from 21L that their SID brings them initially to KEA may me asked if they can accept a VMC Departure to KEA. When accepting a VMC Departure and climb, aircraft will be expected to turn left as soon as practicable. After departure will maintain VMC and own terrain separation until passing 4000 ft and will climb to 6000ft to KEA to join the assigned SID, except if the ATC clears them otherwise. Standard separation will be provided between aircraft departing VMC and all other IFR aircraft. If unable to follow the VMC Departure please advise the ATC. Note that VMC departures may also be offered to aircraft departing from the other runways as well (03R/L, 21R), provided that it is daytime, VMC, and the aircraft is above 4000 ft or over the sea. The pilot may also request VMC Departure, but ATC must approve it.

Ground Operations

The departing procedure is, in brief, as follows:

1. The pilot will request startup/ATC clearance from LGAV_DEL. Request for ATC clearance may take place at the earliest 10’ prior to engine startup. VFR flights must also request startup clearance.
2. LGAV_DEL will, if there is no restriction, approve startup and will issue the ATC clearance, which must be readback in full by the pilot. LGAV_DEL will then handover the pilot to LGAV_GND for pushback and taxi clearance or for taxi clearance (where pushback is not necessary).
3. The pilot will request pushback/taxi from LGAV_GND, indicating the aircraft parking stand.
4. During pushback procedure, the aircraft is aligned on the taxiway and positioned with the nose gear abeam the lead­in line of its stand. In order to expedite traffic whenever operational conditions permit, ATC may request from the aircraft to perform extended pushback with the nose gear abeam the lead­in line of an adjacent parking position. Starting up engines for aircraft requiring pushback is normally commenced when the aircraft is aligned on the taxiway center line.
5. LGAV_GND will give detailed taxi instructions. Pilots should have a paper/pencil at hand to (possibly) write down the details. If there is any doubt concerning the taxi procedure, please ask the ATC – it is their "job" to help you!
6. The pilot will follow strictly the taxi instructions, until he reaches the outer taxiway, where he will be requested to contact LGAV_TWR.
7. LGAV_TWR will issue departure clearance and, after departure, the pilot will be requested to contact LGAV_DEP.

Noise Abatement

Between 2300-0700LT & 1500-1800LT:

• RWY 21L should not be used for landing
• RWY 03R should not be used for take-off

ACFT with maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) greater than 300 tons are not allowed to use RWY 03R / 21L for take-off.