Unstoppable Athens : 2.88mio Additional PAX during the first 9 months of 2024 at Athens, +13.3% to 2023 or +23.0% !! to 2019

Spectacular traffic performance continues at Athens in September, achieving a new record with 3.296mio PAX. recording  growth of 9.6% to September last year.

Last year, Athens International Airport achieved its TOP performance (until that time) with 28.17mio PAX. Compared to 2019, Athens welcomed in 2023, 2.6mio additional PAX.

However, this strong increase in absolute numbers is  history already, as in just 9 months in 2024, Athens is already above this with 2.88mio Additional PAX.

From January to September 2024, Athens welcomed 24.58mio PAX.

This phenomenal growth in PAX traffic is mainly driven by the International segment with 16% growth to 2023 and 2.38mio additional PAX, followed by the Domestic segment with 7.3% and half a million additional PAX.

Equally, Aircraft movements (flights) increased by 11.6% in the first 9 months of 2024, compared to 2023, resulting in 207.7 thousand movements.

 

In terms of PAX traffic what is more interesting is the notable extension of the season. This was and continues to be Athens key priority since 2019 with a sound strategic policy and available support to the airlines.

To drive growth in the off-peak months, Athens analyzed demand and supply, designed policies and tools (Incentives and Marketing portfolio) and implemented initiatives in pursuit of this goal.

All actions resulted in the notable extension of the season in 2024, as .:

a) Since March, Athens is recording more or less 300 thousand additional PAX almost each month.

Clearly, the spectacular growth in traffic is distributed “evenly” in almost all months of the year. PAX traffic growth in absolute numbers is higher in April, May & June than in peak Summer months July, August & September.

 

b) Up to September 2024, Athens recorded 5 months with PAX traffic at over 3 million PAX.

Pre-pandemic (2019) PAX traffic at Athens only briefly surpassed 3 million PAX in one month (August).

Last year, 2023, Athens only had 3 months with over 3 million PAX (July, August, September).

Now, Athens is recording already 5 months with PAX traffic at over 3 million and the year is not over yet !!!

Looking ahead and based on Global Schedules, November & December 2024 looks equally promising with a 10% growth in capacity vs. Nov-Dec 2023.

Fascinating route developments are also announced for Winter 2024/2025, which are expected to further boost PAX growth for the remaining of 2024 and a strong start in 2025! 

Sincere thanks to all our airlines for a spectacular 9-month performance and their trust in the Athens market and looking forward to continuing our strong and close cooperation for a spectacular year-finish!