Athens Airport Continues Strong Growth, Reaches Over Thirty Million Passengers And Eyes Record Year-End Figures In Greece And The US

Published on December 9, 2025

Athens International Airport is experiencing robust growth, surpassing thirty million passengers and positioning itself for a record year-end performance. This impressive milestone reflects the airport’s increasing popularity as a key gateway for both domestic and international travel, bolstered by Greece’s strong tourism recovery and the increasing demand from the US. The airport’s strategic expansions and enhanced services have played a critical role in driving this growth, making it one of the top destinations for travelers in the region.

Athens International Airport (AIA) is poised to close 2025 with a new record in passenger numbers, following another month of robust growth. The latest data shows that for the first 11 months of the year, the airport has seen 31.68 million passengers, putting it on course to surpass its previous all-time annual record.

This figure, achieved by the end of November, is just short of the 31.85 million passengers that passed through the terminal in the same period last year, indicating a 13.1% year-on-year increase. The airport’s growth is primarily driven by international traffic, which reached 22.68 million passengers in the first eleven months of 2025. This represents an 8.8% increase in international flights, which has bolstered overall passenger numbers.

Overall, the total number of flights at AIA for the 11-month period increased by 5.6%, reaching 264,113. This steady rise in both flights and passenger traffic highlights the airport’s ongoing expansion and reinforces its role as a major hub for international and domestic air travel.

Domestic traffic has also seen a positive increase. From January to November, domestic passenger numbers reached 9 million, marking a 2% rise compared to the same period in 2024. This indicates a consistent demand for domestic travel, contributing to the airport’s overall growth.

A key milestone in AIA’s performance came in November 2025, when the airport recorded its highest-ever number of passengers for the month, reaching 2.36 million. This represents a 9.6% increase from November 2024, making it the busiest November in the airport’s history. The growth was driven by a rise in both domestic and international travel, with domestic traffic increasing by 5% and international traffic soaring by 11.5%.

The significant growth in November points to a shift in travel patterns, with demand continuing well beyond the traditional summer peak. This trend suggests that Athens is becoming a year-round destination, with more people opting to travel during the off-peak seasons, rather than just in the summer months. This extended travel season is an encouraging sign of the city’s growing appeal to international and domestic travelers alike.

Looking ahead, Athens International Airport is strengthening its position as a global aviation hub. Starting in May 2026, a major American airline will launch a direct route between Athens and Dallas/Fort Worth, one of its largest hubs in the United States. This will further expand Athens’ connectivity to the US, as the airline will also resume its Charlotte route and continue operating flights to other major cities such as Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia. These new connections are expected to meet the growing demand for transatlantic travel and further boost passenger numbers.

This expansion of transatlantic services underscores the increasing importance of Athens as a gateway between Europe and North America. With these new routes, Athens will offer direct flights to nine US cities, including destinations served by multiple airlines. Together, these routes will add up to a total of 103 weekly frequencies, nearly double the number of flights Athens offered in 2023.

The growth in transatlantic traffic reflects a wider trend of increasing international demand for Athens as a destination. This trend is not only being driven by the tourism sector but also by the airport’s growing reputation as a hub for business and leisure travel in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Moreover, Athens International Airport has strengthened its position within Europe. The airport now ranks as the eighth most connected hub on the continent, further cementing its role as a crucial link for both European and global travelers. As a result, AIA’s growth is being recognized as part of a broader trend in the Eastern Mediterranean, with Athens becoming an increasingly important aviation hub in the region.

Industry experts attribute the airport’s growth to a combination of factors, including Athens’ strategic location, its expanding flight network, and a growing demand for year-round travel. As more international airlines expand their services to Athens, the airport is expected to continue benefiting from a surge in passenger numbers and further solidify its position as a key player in the global aviation network.

The success of AIA is not just a testament to the airport’s operational efficiency, but also to the resilience of the Greek tourism and travel industry, which continues to attract both international visitors and business travelers throughout the year. The airport’s consistent growth in traffic over the years, combined with the expansion of international flight services, signals a bright future for Athens as a global aviation hub.

Athens International Airport has surpassed thirty million passengers, driven by a strong tourism recovery in Greece and increased demand from the US, positioning it for a record year-end performance.

AIA’s performance in 2025 showcases its continued expansion, which is poised to set a new landmark for the airport. As the airport moves toward 2026, it is clear that Athens International Airport is well on its way to further strengthening its position as a key gateway in the Eastern Mediterranean and a critical player in global aviation. With new flights and sustained growth, the airport is prepared to meet the growing demands of passengers and contribute to the overall success of Greece’s tourism and aviation sectors.