Northern Greece’s transport and logistics sector has been dealt another major blow. Following the recent closure of Ryanair’s base in Thessaloniki, global courier giant FedEx is also scaling back its presence in the country’s second-largest city.

The company is preparing to shut down its office at the customs building of Thessaloniki’s “Macedonia” Airport on May 31, transferring all customs clearance operations to Athens International Airport, also known as “Eleftherios Venizelos.”

Customs Brokers Sound the Alarm: Unemployment and Higher Prices

The development, revealed during a meeting of industry bodies at the Professionals’ Chamber of Thessaloniki has sparked deep concern across the sector.

Giorgos Kosmidis, president of the Customs Brokers Association, warned of a chain reaction of negative consequences:

• Job losses: The office’s six employees have already been informed that their contracts will end.
• Blow to the industry: More than 550 customs brokers in Thessaloniki now fear for their income.
• Rising costs: Moving customs procedures to Athens is expected to increase the cost of imported goods.
• Service downgrades: Concentrating operations in the Greek capital is likely to cause major delivery delays for northern Greece.

FedEx’s Plan and What Comes Next

Despite the closure of the airport office, sources say FedEx will maintain its hub in the Pylaia district of Thessaloniki, which will continue receiving goods transported from Athens.

The company’s daily flight to Thessaloniki is expected to remain in operation. However, parcels arriving in the city will already have been cleared through customs in Athens before being shipped north.

Market insiders say the move is part of a broader cost-cutting strategy by FedEx, especially after the company established its new privately owned warehouse facility in Markopoulo, a suburb near Athens.

Fears of an “Athens Monopoly”

Industry professionals warn that Thessaloniki is gradually losing its competitiveness as a regional transit and logistics hub.

“We are watching a monopoly being created in Athens,” sector representatives say, expressing concern that the shift could strengthen rival companies operating in the region, such as DHL.

At the same time, FedEx is expected to offer what insiders describe as “attractive packages” to business owners in northern Greece in an effort to secure acceptance of the new customs clearance model.