TAP Air Portugal Returns to Athens with Year-Round Flights with Enhancing Connectivity, Tourism Growth and Links Between Europe, the Americas and Africa

TAP Air Portugal will start flying from Lisbon back to Athens as of July 1, 2026, bringing back the direct flights between the capitals of Greece and Portugal, which have not existed since 2012. This flight has served the route from 2011 to 2012, being the first direct link ever connecting the two countries.This move follows increasing passenger flows between Greece and Portugal, which have reached record numbers in 2025, and are growing further in early 2026, according to Athens International Airport (AIA).

Year-Round Flights to Strengthen Connectivity

The new service will operate five times weekly, connecting Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport and Athens Airport year-round. During the summer season, TAP will use Airbus A320neo aircraft, while in the winter, the route will operate with Embraer E190 planes to adjust capacity efficiently.

Flights depart Lisbon on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 21:30, arriving in Athens at 03:40 the next day. Return flights from Athens operate on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 04:40, arriving in Lisbon at 07:15 local time. This consistent, year-round connectivity provides greater access for travelers, encouraging both leisure and business tourism while fostering stronger economic and cultural links between Greece and Portugal.

Lisbon as a Strategic Hub for Europe and Beyond

Paolo Zocconali, TAP Air Portugal Marketing Manager, emphasized Lisbon’s strategic importance as a hub connecting Europe with North and South America. The airline aims to maintain year-round flights, adjusting aircraft size in winter to ensure continuous connectivity and support travel demand throughout the year. This positioning allows Athens travelers to access not only Lisbon but also onward connections to the Americas, Africa, and the Iberian Peninsula, enhancing the strategic role of Greece in international tourism networks.

Enhancing Tourism Growth Across Europe, Africa, and the Americas

Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director of Communications & Marketing at AIA, highlighted that the route will provide greater access to Lisbon, creating new travel pathways for international tourists. By linking Athens with Lisbon, the route enables onward travel across the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, supporting future tourism growth in Greece and expanding opportunities for cross-border leisure, cultural, and business travel. The new route also strengthens Greece’s position as a Mediterranean hub, offering airlines and travelers enhanced connectivity that can stimulate visitor arrivals, tourism spending, and regional economic development.

Modern Fleet Supports Sustainable Growth

TAP Air Portugal has invested heavily in fleet modernization, operating one of the youngest fleets in the industry, including Airbus NEO-family aircraft (A320neo, A321neo, A321LR, A330neo) and regional TAP Express planes. This modern fleet ensures fuel efficiency, comfort, and reliability, supporting the airline’s ability to expand routes and tourism connectivity sustainably.

Founded in 1945, TAP is Portugal’s flag carrier and a Star Alliance member, operating more than 1,000 weekly flights to 75 destinations across Europe, Africa, North America, and Latin America. The airline has also been recognized as one of the world’s 20 safest airlines for 2026 by AirlineRatings.com and has received multiple World Travel Awards for its service quality.

Future Tourism Impact of the Athens–Lisbon Route

The return of TAP Air Portugal is expected to stimulate tourism growth in both Greece and Portugal, by:

• Increasing inbound tourism to Athens from Portugal and international connections.
• Boosting outbound travel from Greece to Portugal, Africa, and the Americas.
• Encouraging multi-destination travel, leveraging Lisbon as a hub for European and transatlantic journeys.
• Supporting business and cultural tourism, connecting two historic capitals and their surrounding regions.

This route will also facilitate seasonal and year-round travel, helping airlines, hotels, and local tourism businesses plan for sustainable growth and higher tourist volumes.

Strengthening Connectivity and Tourism Growth

The relaunching of the Athens-Lisbon flight after 14 years has not just been a resumption but also a significant development within the context of European and Mediterranean travels, contributing to the network expansion of TAP Air Portugal and promoting tourism and immersive travel. By connecting Greece to Portugal and the rest of the world, the carrier helps enhance cultural interaction and tourism activities between Athens and other destinations, including those in the Mediterranean region.

Image Source: TAP Air Portugal