Aktion National Airport

Preveza International Airport (PVK), also known as Aktion National Airport, sits on a narrow peninsula at the entrance to the Ambracian Gulf, roughly 64 kilometres south of the city of Preveza. It shares its runway with a Greek Air Force base, which explains the military aircraft seen alongside the tourist charters. This dual-use facility handles seasonal flights from across Europe, primarily between May and October, connecting the Ionian region — including the islands of Lefkada, Kefalonia, and Ithaca, as well as the mainland coast — to major cities like London, Amsterdam, and Munich. During winter, commercial operations dwindle to a handful of weekly domestic flights, making it a quiet outpost for most of the year. The airport's compact terminal and open tarmac give it a practical, no-nonsense character: you are here to move through, not to linger. Yet its location, wedged between the sea and a working airbase, gives it a distinct feel that sets it apart from the standard Mediterranean airport experience.

Getting There

Reaching Preveza International Airport depends on where you are coming from. From the city of Preveza itself, the drive takes about fifteen minutes along the EO Prevezis – Irakleou road, a straight stretch that runs parallel to the coast. Taxis are readily available at the rank outside arrivals; a flat rate of around €15 is standard, though always confirm before boarding. Public buses run less frequently, with schedules coordinated to flight arrivals only during peak season. From Lefkada, the journey is roughly 35 minutes via the floating bridge linking the island to the mainland. Drivers follow the EO Lefkadas – Prevezis road through the town of Vonitsa, then merge onto the EO Prevezis – Irakleou. Car rental desks in the arrivals hall handle the high summer demand, but booking ahead is strongly advised — availability vanishes during July and August. From the southern reaches of Kefalonia, the combination of a ferry from Sami to Patras followed by a three-hour drive north is possible but exhausting. Most visitors flying into PVK are heading to Lefkada, Parga, or the quieter beaches of the Epirus coast. Renting a car is almost essential for exploring this region, as public transport between towns is limited and taxis become expensive beyond the immediate airport catchment.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Preveza International Airport is a single-storey building with separate zones for arrivals and departures. Upon arrival, passengers walk from the aircraft across the tarmac into a modest hall where a single baggage carousel handles all incoming flights. The process is straightforward: passport control for non-Schengen flights takes a few minutes at peak hours, but the queue rarely extends beyond ten minutes. Customs checks are cursory. The departures area offers the basics: a small cafe serving coffee, sandwiches, and pre-packaged snacks; a duty-free shop with limited alcohol and perfume selections; and a handful of seats near the gates. Wheelchair-accessible entrances, toilets, and an accessible car park are available — the airport was renovated in the early 2010s to meet EU standards. A changing table is located in the accessible toilet. Baggage storage lockers are not present, but the information desk can sometimes hold bags for a few hours if you ask. The free parking lot operates on a first-come basis; the paid lot offers reserved spaces a few metres from the entrance. The atmosphere is functional: fluorescent lighting, white walls, and a constant hum from the air conditioning. During busy Monday evenings or Wednesday afternoons, the terminal can feel cramped, with passengers spilling into the outdoor waiting area. There are no lounges, no restaurants beyond the cafe, and no free Wi-Fi — download your boarding pass before arrival.

Preveza International Airport and Actium

The airport's official name references the ancient site of Actium, a place that holds outsized importance in Roman history. It was off these shores that Octavian defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 31 BC, a naval battle that ended the Roman Republic and ushered in the Empire. Today, visitors can stand on the headland near the airport entrance and look across the gulf toward the shallow waters where the clash took place. The Archaeological Museum of Nikopolis, a short drive from the terminal, houses finds from the city Octavian founded to commemorate his victory. But Actium is not the only draw. The region offers some of Greece's most varied landscapes: the sandy beaches of the Ionian Sea, the mountain villages of the Epirus hinterland, and the Venetian arches of Lefkada Town. For travellers flying into PVK, the airport becomes a launchpad for exploring a stretch of coast that balances tourism with everyday life. The nearby city of Preveza — with its waterfront cafés, grilled octopus, and a relaxed pace — seldom appears on packaged itineraries, which means you can experience genuine Greek daily rhythms. The airport's seasonal traffic defines the local economy: everyone from hoteliers to taxi drivers gears their livelihood around the summer schedule. In winter, the terminal closes at 14:00 on most days, and the surrounding roads empty. This duality makes the airport feel like a seasonal camp — buzzing one month, silent the next.

Practical Information

Preveza International Airport is open seasonally, typically from late March to early November, with reduced hours in winter. During summer, the terminal opens two hours before the first departure and closes after the last arrival. Winter operations are limited: the airport may shut entirely on days with no scheduled flights. The official website — https://www.pvk-airport.gr/el — provides current flight schedules and contact details. The airport phone number is +30 2682 026113. For flight information, call ahead, as online updates can lag. The busiest times according to historical data are Monday evenings, Tuesday mid-mornings, and Wednesday afternoons; aim to arrive extra early if your flight falls in these windows. Baggage storage is not a dedicated service, but the information desk may assist for short periods. If you need a taxi, pre-book through a local company like Preveza Taxi Service to avoid summer surcharges. One concrete tip: fill your car's fuel tank before returning it — the nearest petrol station is 3 km west on the road to Preveza, and the airport has no fuel facility. Also, keep a euro coin handy for the luggage trolleys; the release mechanism jams occasionally, and the staff have limited change.