Woods Bagot in association with Doxiadis Associates – Consultants on Development and Ekistics S.A was the leading firm of a consortium that received the first prize in an international competition tendered by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority for the design of the New Terminal Building for the State Airport of Thessaloniki "Macedonia" After the competition stage, the contract was signed for the study of the building and the related installations (airside and landside) of an estimated project value of 350.000.000 €

The terminal is designed to handle an annual traffic of 8mpa (million passengers per annum) in Phase A and will have the double capacity in Phase B (16mpa). The design peak hour traffic are 3.700 passengers per hour with 14 contact stand boarding bridges and 22 remote stands of aircrafts. There is a provision for 100 check-incounters.

The new terminal is designed as a spacious and mostly naturally lit hall and its architecture form is based on the design of a hill, which is a characteristic of Thessaloniki’s natural landscape and reminiscent of the ancient "Vault Tombs" found in the wider region. The building concept is functional in all aspects and provides enough flexibility for future expansion.

The proposed design has a simple and efficient passenger flow in two main levels (Arrivals and Departures), other intermediate levels for separating flows and functions, as well as good visibility to airside and landside. It demonstrates a different approach to the issue of natural environment by enclosing considerable green areas within the building and by including carefully landscaped areas on the landside, adjacent to the access road and the curb, creating in this way an architectural promenade from the city to the point of boarding the aircraft. The Terminal is accessible by a three lane road in each direction of traffic with a central reservation. Parallel to the main road space is provided for Metro or Subway train. Parking is also provided for 3,650 vehicles in a multi-storey car park and in open and partially shaded areas.