If you’ve travelled through Greece recently, you might have noticed the bustling terminals and crowded airport lounges. It’s not your imagination—passenger traffic at Greek airports has surged by 8.7 percent in 2024, marking a significant boost for the country’s aviation and tourism sectors. According to data from the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) and the Hellenic Aviation Service Provider (HASP), over 65 million passengers passed through Greece’s 39 airports in the first nine months of 2024. This increase of more than 5 million travellers compared to the same period in 2023 reflects a strong recovery in air travel.
Why does this matter? For one, it signals that Greece’s tourism industry is rebounding, contributing to the country’s economy. It also hints at potential record-breaking passenger numbers by the end of 2024—provided that no disruptions impact air transport.
In this article, you’ll learn about the key factors behind the rise in passenger numbers, how individual airports like Athens International Airport and Heraklion Airport performed, and whether this growth is likely to continue into 2025.
Key Statistics: Traffic and Flight Volume Growth
The first nine months of 2024 saw a remarkable increase in passenger traffic across Greece’s 39 airports, with 65,133,705 passengers passing through—a 5.2 million passenger jump compared to 59,901,542 in the same period last year. This 8.7 percent rise reflects not only a recovery from the pandemic era but also the sustained demand for air travel to and from Greece.
Beyond passenger numbers, flight activity also increased by 6.6 percent, with 489,694 flights recorded in the same period. This steady growth in air traffic underscores the importance of Greece’s airports as both tourism gateways and regional travel hubs.
The 24 state-managed airports performed solidly, reporting 9,984,655 passengers—a 6.1 percent increase. These numbers suggest that even smaller airports, beyond Athens or key tourist hotspots, are benefiting from the broader boom in travel.
This data paints a clear picture: Greece’s aviation sector is back on track for a potential record year. But what’s driving this surge in traffic? The next section will dive deeper into the performance of individual airports to uncover the underlying trends.
Airport Performance Highlights
Several key airports have been driving the growth in passenger traffic across Greece, with Athens International Airport (AIA) leading the way. In the first nine months of 2024, AIA handled approximately 24.56 million passengers, an impressive 13.3 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. This surge highlights the airport’s role not just as a local hub but as a major international gateway, especially for long-haul and connecting flights.
Heraklion Airport in Crete was a standout performer in September 2024, welcoming 1,413,761 passengers—a 6.6 percent rise compared to last year. The figures reflect Crete’s continued popularity among tourists, solidifying the airport’s status as one of Greece’s busiest.
Another significant contributor was Fraport Greece, which operates several regional airports. It reported 30.97 million passengers in the first nine months of 2024, marking a 5.9 percent increase. The consistent growth across these regional airports suggests that domestic and leisure travel are thriving alongside international arrivals.
These numbers show that both large international hubs like Athens and regional airports are sharing in the growth. Together, they point to a broad-based recovery across the aviation sector.
In the next section, we’ll explore the factors driving this rise in air traffic—looking at tourism, infrastructure investments, and new flight routes.
What’s Driving the Increase?
Several factors are contributing to the 8.7 percent increase in passenger traffic at Greek airports. The rebound in tourism is the most significant driver, with Greece continuing to attract travellers from Europe and beyond. The country’s appeal as a summer destination remains strong, boosted by increased demand for leisure travel following years of pandemic-related restrictions.
Additionally, new flight routes and expanded airline schedules have opened up more travel options. Airlines are launching new direct connections to smaller Greek islands and regional airports, making it easier for tourists to explore more of the country. This trend also reflects Greece's strategy to spread tourism more evenly, reducing pressure on major hubs like Athens.
Infrastructure investments have also played a role. Fraport Greece, which operates 14 regional airports, has made significant upgrades to airport facilities, improving passenger flow and the overall travel experience. This has helped boost the capacity and efficiency of these airports, making them more attractive for airlines and travellers alike.
Another key factor is Greece’s position as a gateway between Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Athens International Airport has benefited from this strategic location, increasing its long-haul connections and serving as a hub for international travellers making connections.
Lastly, pent-up demand following the COVID-19 pandemic is still influencing travel trends in 2024. Travellers are eager to take delayed holidays, and Greece—known for its beaches, historical sites, and vibrant culture—is a natural choice.
While the data points to strong momentum, some challenges could arise. In the next section, we’ll explore potential risks that could impact future passenger growth.
Challenges and Sustainability
While the 8.7 percent increase in passenger traffic is promising, maintaining this growth isn’t guaranteed. Several challenges could affect the sustainability of these positive trends in the coming months and into 2025.
1. Economic Instability and Rising Costs
Fluctuations in fuel prices, inflation, and increased airline operating costs could lead to higher ticket prices, potentially dampening demand. As Europe faces economic uncertainty, discretionary travel might decrease, especially for leisure tourists, which could impact future traffic growth.
2. Airline Industry Disruptions
Strikes, staffing shortages, or disruptions in airline operations—common issues across Europe—could slow down flight schedules and reduce passenger satisfaction. Even minor interruptions at major hubs like Athens International Airport could ripple across the entire network.
3. Environmental and Weather Risks
Natural factors also play a role. Extreme weather events (such as heatwaves or wildfires) may affect tourism demand, particularly during peak summer months. In 2023, Greece faced severe wildfires that temporarily discouraged travel to certain regions. If similar events occur in 2024 or 2025, it could negatively impact airport traffic.
4. Capacity Management and Infrastructure Limitations
As passenger numbers rise, ensuring efficient airport operations becomes critical. Some regional airports, despite upgrades, may face bottlenecks during peak travel periods. If infrastructure improvements don’t keep pace with rising demand, it could lead to delays and overcrowding, harming Greece’s reputation as a tourist-friendly destination.
5. Sustainable Travel Demands
With environmental concerns rising globally, travellers and airlines are becoming more conscious of sustainable travel practices. Greece’s airports and airlines will need to invest in greener technologies and more sustainable operations to remain competitive, particularly with eco-conscious travellers.
Despite these risks, the outlook for Greek aviation remains optimistic. Proactive management and continued investment in infrastructure could mitigate some of these risks, helping Greece sustain its growth.
Next, we’ll explore whether 2024 could become a record-breaking year and what to expect in the coming months.
A Record Year on the Horizon?
With a 8.7 percent rise in passenger traffic across its airports, Greece’s aviation sector is on track for a record-breaking year. The combined growth at major hubs like Athens International Airport, key tourist destinations such as Heraklion, and regional airports managed by Fraport Greece reflects a broad-based recovery. Strong tourism demand, increased airline routes, and infrastructure investments are paving the way for continued growth.
However, challenges remain. Economic uncertainties, airline disruptions, and environmental risks could still affect the sustainability of this momentum. But if Greece’s aviation and tourism sectors continue to adapt—by managing capacity, maintaining operational efficiency, and investing in sustainable practices—the outlook for the remainder of 2024 and beyond is promising.
For now, the data indicates that Greece is well-positioned to capitalise on this positive trend. If no unexpected disruptions occur, 2024 could go down as a milestone year for the country’s air travel industry, cementing its role as a key player in European tourism and a strategic travel hub between continents.
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