British Airways carried around half a million passengers in 2023 and experienced an increase of +6.6% in 2024 (Jan – Apr 2024)
With over 1.85 million passengers on direct flights to Athens "Eleftherios Venizelos" International Airport in 2023 and 534,000 in the first quarter of 2024, the United Kingdom tourist market is one of the largest.
British Airways presented British market figures on Monday. The figures showed that the airline carried a total of around 500,000 passengers in 2023 and an increase of +6.6% in 2024 (Jan – Apr 2024).
The regional commercial director of British Airways, Mr Emil Delibashev, said yesterday that following the positive financial results of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, £7 billion would be invested in 600 different initiatives.
Regarding Greece, the company will continue connecting with the United Kingdom by offering premium products and services, such as Club Europe and Club World. The airline's strategy is to promote the UK as a hub for other destinations, more than 180 of which are from the UK market.
The overall market of the United Kingdom at Athens International Airport was second in terms of international direct traffic in 2023, with 1.85 million passengers, a +15% increase compared to 2019.
Last year, the Germans were in first place, with a very small difference of 1.86 million passengers. The UK was also the second market in terms of overseas visitors, with a +19% increase over 2019, with 687,000 British international arrivals. The US had 1.05 million international arrivals last year.
As reported yesterday, the UK market is in third place in terms of international direct traffic for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023.
It is noted here that London is the most popular destination for travelling from Eleftherios Venizelos, with AEGEAN, SKY Express, Wizz Air, Jet2, easyJet, British Airways, and Ryanair flying from the airport. The British capital has an 83% market share of the total UK market in Athens, with 47% of foreign passengers (tourists) visiting Athens during October-April (low season).
In terms of traveller profile, passengers mainly travel for leisure (62%), to visit relatives and friends (25%), and for business reasons (10%). Foreign visitors living abroad make up 62%, while Greeks living in Greece make up 37%.
Stefania Souki is a columnist for New Money. Translated by Paul Antonopoulos.
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