Athens Airport Set to Break New Passenger Record in 2025 as International Traffic Surges

Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” is on track to achieve a historic passenger traffic record in 2025, continuing one of the fastest recoveries in European aviation.

During the first eleven months of the year, total passenger traffic reached 31.68 million, while November posted a strong 9.6% year-on-year increase. Current projections show that Athens Airport will close the year with 33.5–34 million passengers, surpassing the 2024 record and solidifying Athens as a major regional hub in Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Strong growth after a record-setting 2024

The airport already delivered a milestone performance in 2024 with 31.85 million passengers, up 13.1% from 2023. The numbers confirmed the airport’s full rebound from the pandemic and the strength of Greece’s tourism-driven travel demand.

International traffic drives Athens Airport’s expansion

The strong momentum is supported by robust international demand, which rose 11.5% in November, and by the expansion of international flight operations—up 8.8% in the January–November period.
International passengers reached 22.68 million, compared with 20.89 million during the same period in 2024.

This growth reflects:

• the broadened network of airlines operating in Athens,
• new and enhanced long-haul routes,
• continued high visitor demand for Greece,
• and Athens’ emergence as a strategic aviation hub for the wider Eastern Mediterranean.

Total flight movements reached 264,113, an increase of 5.6%, while domestic traffic reached 9 million passengers, up 2% year-on-year.

Major airline expansions planned for 2026

Airlines are preparing significant expansions for the coming years, further boosting Athens’ role as a long-haul gateway.

American Airlines expands U.S.–Greece connections

Beginning May 2026, American Airlines will launch a direct route between Athens and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), its largest hub in the United States. The carrier will also reinstate its Charlotte service and continue operating flights to Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia, strengthening Greece–U.S. connectivity and creating new long-haul travel options for passengers.

Aegean enters Indian market with new long-haul routes

Aegean Airlines will expand its network eastward by launching its first direct flights to New Delhi and Mumbai in March 2026. The airline will operate the routes with the new Airbus A321neo XLR, capable of flights up to 10.5 hours without stops.

Meanwhile, India’s IndiGo will introduce six weekly flights from the two major Indian airports to Athens, expanding bilateral travel and boosting Greece’s appeal as a gateway to Europe.

Athens strengthens its position as a Mediterranean aviation hub

With back-to-back record years and new long-haul routes from the U.S. and India, Athens International Airport is rapidly establishing itself as one of the fastest-growing airports in Europe. If trends continue, 2025 may become its strongest year on record, further enhancing Greece’s position on the global aviation ma