Abandoned Olympic Airlines Boeing 727 to be restored in Athens

Cyprus-based air charter group Zera Aviation has acquired two aircraft that had been abandoned for many years at the former Athens International Airport. The aircraft’s new owner plans to restore and display it in order to inspire a new generation of aviators and preserve a piece of Greece and Cyprus’ aviation history.

Return to Mount Olympus

The newer of the two aircraft, a Boeing 727-284, was delivered new to Olympic Air in December 1968. This plane was part of a large order that Aristotle Onassis placed with Olympic Air, with the same airline he flew for 23 years. The registration is SX-CBA. Named “mount olympus” The aircraft was decommissioned in 1992 and moved to Athens Airport, where it remains today.

The aircraft is one of several parked at Ellinikon International Airport. The airport, sometimes spelled Hellinikon, served as the main international gateway to Greece for over 60 years before moving to its current location in 2001.

This plane will be used to promote aviation and introduce the history of aviation to new generations. Zela Aviation President Andreas Christodoulides noted that these two aircraft are part of the history of Greek and Cyprus aviation, and explained the company’s objectives in acquiring them:

“The public unveiling of these two aircraft will be an opportunity for people, especially the young generation, to travel back in time and discover the fascinating world of aviation.”

The aircraft will be carefully restored and preserved until a final display location is determined.

1-11 only

Another aircraft set for renaissance is the Hellenic Imperial Airways BAC 1-11 (SX-BAR). This aircraft was his first delivered in 1996 and is currently the only BAC One-Eleven still flying with Greek registration. This aircraft takes on the colors of the Hellenic Air Force and is one of the few aircraft of this type in existence around the world.

Initially, it helped that the aircraft could be transported to Cyprus and painted in the historic colors of Cyprus Airways, which had operated the aircraft for many years. However, the transportation process was considered particularly difficult. Zera Aviation confirmed to Simple Flying today that once the aircraft has been repaired, it will be donated to the city of Lavrio and installed next to the city’s port.

Photo: Zera Aviation

The transportation and reassembly of the two aircraft will be managed by Notis Cranes, a Greek lift specialist company with the necessary experience and specialist machinery for the project. The acquisition comes as Zera Aviation, which has previously focused on wet/dry aircraft leasing, charter and aircraft sales, seeks to expand its presence in the Greek market.