Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Greece’s international air traffic is experiencing remarkable growth, with 29.3 million international arrivals in 2024, reflecting a robust 9.7% year-on-year increase from 2023.
According to the latest findings from INSETE’s annual report on international air arrivals, which includes data from Athens International Airport (AIA), Fraport Greece, and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), this surge is clearly evident.
Athens International Airport (AIA) spearheaded the growth, processing 11.1 million international travelers, marking a substantial 15.3% increase over 2023. In addition, regional airports saw a combined total of 15.8 million arrivals, representing a 7% rise. Thessaloniki Airport also saw an uptick, with a 3.9% increase, reaching 2.5 million passengers.
Airports Fueling Greece’s Travel Surge
Athens International Airport remains Greece’s dominant entry point, accounting for nearly 38% of all international arrivals in 2024. The airport’s growth was bolstered by an increase in travelers from Italy, Germany, the UK, France, and Cyprus—its top five international markets.
Heraklion followed closely with 3.8 million passengers, reflecting a gain of 235,000 (+6.6%), while Rhodes secured third place with 3.0 million passengers, an impressive increase of 366,000 (+13.8%).
Thessaloniki Airport, Greece’s second-largest international hub, ranked fourth with 2.5 million passengers, also showing growth, driven mostly by travelers from Germany, the UK, Cyprus, Italy, and Poland.
However, the standout trend in 2024 has been the exceptional performance of Greece’s regional airports, which collectively saw 1 million more arrivals compared to the previous year. The top five busiest regional airports—Heraklion, Rhodes, Corfu, Chania, and Kos—accounted for 76% of the country’s international arrivals. These airports are vital gateways for tourists seeking to explore Greece beyond Athens.
Where Are Greece’s Visitors Coming From? The UK remains Greece’s largest source market, with 5.3 million arrivals, up by 7.2% from 2023. Germany followed closely, contributing 4.8 million arrivals and experiencing the highest absolute growth, adding 389,000 passengers (+8.8%).
Among the fastest-growing markets, Turkey saw a striking 25.3% increase in arrivals, while Hungary (+25%) and the USA (+24.2%) also posted strong growth, indicating rising interest from both North American and European travelers rediscovering Greece or exploring new regions within the country.
Greece’s Expanding Tourist Season
While July remained the peak month for international arrivals, with 5 million passengers accounting for 16.9% of the total, a notable shift is emerging in Greece’s tourism pattern. The country’s tourist season is stretching beyond the traditional summer months, with modest increases in arrivals from June to September, and significant double-digit growth in the off-peak months.
This shift signals Greece’s success in attracting tourists during spring and autumn, a time when travelers are increasingly choosing to explore both the islands and the mainland, moving away from the crowded summer period.
Future Prospects for Greek Tourism
With air arrivals showing continued growth, Greece’s tourism sector is adjusting to meet the rising demand, longer seasons, and new visitor demographics. The surge in traffic at regional airports highlights the country’s increasing appeal beyond Athens and Thessaloniki, making destinations like Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, and Kos more accessible to international tourists.
