Published on
December 29, 2025
Greece’s airports are experiencing unprecedented growth in 2025, ushering in a new era for year-round tourism. This surge in passenger numbers can be attributed to the country’s strategic efforts to extend the travel season, offering tourists a broader window to experience its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes throughout the year. As a result, Greece is no longer just a summer destination; it is emerging as a go-to year-round travel hub, attracting visitors across all seasons and significantly boosting its tourism sector.
Passenger traffic at Greece’s airports continued to grow in 2025, reflecting a broader trend in the travel industry toward a longer operating season that extends beyond the traditional summer peak. Data released by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) and the Hellenic Aviation Service Provider (HASP) show that from January to November 2025, a total of nearly 79.9 million passengers traveled through Greece’s 39 airports. This figure represents a 4.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024. In addition, the number of aircraft movements also rose by 4.1%, totaling 600,747 flights.
The statistics cover a range of airports, including Athens International Airport (AIA), 24 state-run airports operated by the HCAA, and 14 regional airports managed by Fraport Greece. The overall growth in passenger traffic, particularly in the autumn and early winter months, is a clear indicator of a shift in travel demand, moving toward a more evenly distributed travel season. This trend is particularly evident in November, which saw a significant increase in passenger numbers, suggesting that Greece’s airports are becoming increasingly attractive for travel throughout the year, not just during the summer.
Among the 24 state-run airports, passenger traffic rose by 6.8% during the first eleven months of the year, reaching a total of 12.54 million passengers. The HCAA has noted that several regional airports, in particular, saw significant growth. For example, Nea Anchialos experienced a 46.3% increase in passenger numbers, while Syros and Naxos saw rises of 39.6% and 17.8%, respectively. These figures indicate growing interest in Greece’s secondary destinations, suggesting that travelers are increasingly seeking out alternatives to the more traditional spots, such as Athens and Thessaloniki.
Heraklion Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis,” one of the busiest airports in Crete, continued to perform well, serving almost 246,000 passengers in November alone, which marked a 9.2% year-on-year increase. The airport’s solid performance reflects the sustained demand for travel to the island even as the peak summer months fade. The HCAA pointed out that many of the state-run airports had recorded “historic passenger traffic levels” during 2025, a testament to the continued strength of the Greek tourism industry and the growing trend of year-round travel.
Athens International Airport (AIA) is on track to close 2025 with a new all-time passenger record, reflecting both strong inbound tourism and the increasing number of Greeks traveling abroad. From January to November, AIA recorded 31.68 million passengers, with 22.68 million of them traveling on international flights, an increase of 8.8% from the previous year. Domestic traffic at AIA also rose, reaching 9 million passengers, which is a 2% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The total number of flights at Athens International rose by 5.6%, reaching 264,113 flights during this period.
November proved to be a particularly strong month for Athens International Airport, which saw 2.36 million passengers pass through its terminals. This marked a 9.6% increase year-on-year, making it the busiest November in the airport’s history. International passenger traffic increased by 11.5% during November, while domestic traffic grew by 5%. These figures reflect a continued positive trend in Greece’s tourism sector, with travelers increasingly seeking both international and domestic destinations during the traditionally quieter months.
Looking ahead, AIA’s performance suggests that the airport is well on its way to reaching 34 million passengers by the end of 2025. The growth in passenger numbers is attributed to a combination of factors, including strong international demand and increasing travel by Greeks. This growth at Athens International is significant as it outpaces European averages in the post-pandemic period, highlighting Greece’s recovery and appeal as a top travel destination.
Meanwhile, Fraport Greece, which manages 14 regional airports across the country, also reported a strong performance in 2025. The total passenger traffic across the network increased by 2.9% to 36.23 million travelers during the first eleven months of the year. Notably, the regional airports surpassed the entire volume of passenger traffic handled during 2024 before November had even ended. The figure for November alone reached 953,000 passengers, marking an 8.8% increase compared to the previous year.
This growth is particularly notable because Fraport Greece’s network includes many secondary airports that are becoming more popular with travelers looking to explore less-crowded parts of Greece. The steady rise in regional airport traffic supports the broader trend of extending the tourism season beyond the summer months, indicating that travelers are now more inclined to visit Greek destinations during the autumn and winter seasons as well.
The continued growth at Athens International and across Greece’s regional airports suggests a structural shift in Greece’s air travel landscape. As demand for travel spreads more evenly throughout the year, this change is helping to create a more sustainable and balanced tourism model. With increasing numbers of travelers visiting Greece during the off-peak months, the country’s tourism sector is better positioned to avoid the pressures of overtourism while simultaneously boosting the local economy year-round.
Greece’s airports are witnessing record passenger growth in 2025, driven by the country’s efforts to extend the travel season, establishing a new era of year-round tourism.
2025 has proven to be another strong year for Greece’s airports, with sustained growth in passenger numbers and a clear shift toward year-round tourism. With both Athens and regional airports recording strong results, the trend of extending the travel season and diversifying tourist destinations is likely to continue, providing a solid foundation for Greece’s tourism industry well into the future.
