Athens Sets a New Aviation Record

Photo: Wikimedia

By the end of 2025, Athens International Airport is on track to set a new all-time passenger record, underscoring Greece’s rising prominence as a major aviation and tourism hub in the Eastern Mediterranean. In the first eleven months of the year, AIA handled 31.68 million passengers, nearly reaching the 2024 record of 31.85 million. This represents a 13.1% increase compared to 2023, highlighting the steady recovery and expansion of air travel in the region.

International traffic remains the key driver, with 22.68 million international passengers recorded and an 8.8% increase in international flights. Overall aircraft movements rose by 5.6% to 264,113 operations between January and November.

Record-breaking November and a shift to year-round travel

November 2025 became the airport’s strongest month ever, with 2.36 million passengers, up 9.6% from the previous year. International traffic grew by 11.5%, while domestic routes expanded by 5%. These results confirm a major trend: Greece’s tourism season is transitioning into a year-round cycle as demand increasingly extends beyond the traditional summer peak. Expanded route networks allow travelers to access Athens more easily throughout the year.

Airlines expand routes to meet demand

Airlines are responding aggressively to rising demand. Starting in May 2026, American Airlines will launch a new direct service between Athens and Dallas/Fort Worth, its largest U.S. hub. The carrier will also reinstate its Charlotte route while maintaining operations to Chicago, New York and Philadelphia. This expansion highlights Athens’ growing importance in the transatlantic market, where demand has reached record-high levels.

Athens strengthens its European network

The airport’s European connectivity also continues to deepen. In 2025, Athens ranked eighth among Europe’s most advanced hub networks, with strong market growth from Germany, the UK and Italy. Lufthansa expanded year-round services to Athens, becoming a central contributor to the rise in international flights. British Airways increased its frequency between Athens and major UK cities, while Italy’s consistent business and leisure travel further strengthened passenger volumes, with Aegean Airlines expanding operations across the Italy–Greece corridor.

Key international markets fuel continued growth

The UK, Germany, the USA and Italy remain the strongest international sources of inbound traffic to Greece. British travelers consistently generate high volumes of arrivals. Germany’s role as a major European transit and tourism market continues to expand through Lufthansa’s strengthened presence. The U.S. market shows exceptional growth: Athens now offers direct flights to nine U.S. cities, nearly doubling transatlantic connectivity since 2023. Italy remains a vital market due to strong year-round demand for both business and leisure trips.

Athens emerges as a leading regional aviation hub

Athens International Airport is rapidly solidifying its role as a primary aviation gateway for the Eastern Mediterranean. An increasing number of airlines, expanding route networks, and rising year-round demand strengthen the city’s position as a major transit and tourism center. The performance in 2025 demonstrates Athens’ ability to lead Europe’s aviation sector while supporting wider economic and tourism growth across Greece.

Outlook for 2026 and beyond

The forecast for 2026 remains highly positive. Ongoing expansion of transatlantic services, new strategic airline partnerships and deeper European integration are expected to sustain growth into the next decade. Joint initiatives by Lufthansa, Delta, United, British Airways and American Airlines — alongside the expanding network of Aegean Airlines — will continue to reinforce Athens’ long-term momentum.

Expert conclusion from International Investment:
Athens International Airport’s record-setting growth in 2025 highlights Greece’s strategic rise as a major tourism and transit hub. Expanding airline networks, strong demand from the U.S., Germany, Italy and the UK, and a historic surge in passenger volumes lay the foundation for sustained aviation and tourism development.