Greece Sets Air Traffic Record: October 2025 Marks a New Peak for Tourism and Aviation

Greece’s aviation sector continues to outperform expectations. In October 2025, passenger traffic reached record highs, proving that demand for air travel remains strong even beyond the traditional summer season. The country has not only recovered from the pandemic but also established itself as one of Europe’s most dynamic travel markets.

Passenger Growth and Extended Travel Season

According to Lodging Econometrics and Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), total passenger traffic in the first ten months of 2025 reached 76.2 million, marking a 4.5% increase compared with the same period in 2024.
Aircraft movements rose by 3.8%, reaching 570,508, while October alone saw over 8 million passengers, up from 7.67 million last year — an impressive milestone.

Analysts note that this growth reflects an extended tourism season: many airlines maintained or even expanded their flight schedules into late October, confirming Greece’s evolution into a year-round travel destination, not just a summer hotspot.

Regional Airports Strengthen Their Roles

Across 24 state-run airports, passenger numbers totaled 12.18 million for January–October, a 6.6% increase year-over-year. Regional hubs such as Thessaloniki, Corfu, and Chania saw average passenger growth of around 4%.
In contrast, traditionally crowded islands like Mykonos and Santorini recorded slight declines, suggesting a redistribution of tourist flows toward less saturated destinations.

[h2]Athens and Heraklion Lead the Growth