Sizzling Athens : 27.57mio PAX from Jan to Oct 2024, +24% to 2019 (or +13% to 2023)

Record traffic performance at Athens continues unstoppable with 3.01mio PAX in October 2024, +10% to Oct-23. Year to October Athens reached 27.57mio PAX recording a Y-o-Y growth of 13% to same period 2023, or even more impressive +24% to same period in 2019. Compared to 2019, Athens is recording 5.30mio Additional PAX already and the year is not over yet. October 2024, marks Athens 6th month with traffic above 3mio PAX setting a new record for the airport.

Traffic is growing at all fronts, from International traffic to Domestic, from O&D traffic to transfer traffic, from Foreign residents traveling to Athens and from Greeks traveling to International destinations.

Significant milestones in traffic performance, for the period Jan to Oct 2024 .:

+24% growth to 2019 with 5.30mio Additional PAX

+13% growth to 2023 with 3.16mio Additional PAX

Season at Athens is successfully extended as, for the first time ever, 6 months out of 12 recorded PAX traffic at over 3mio in 2024, compared to just 1 in 2019 or 3 in 2023

58% of the additional PAX in 2024 travelled during Winter and Off-Peak season (Jan-May & Oct).

International direct (non-stop) traffic is growing stronger to Domestic, with +15.5% Y-o-Y to 2023, resulting in 2.6mio Additional PAX. Domestic at +7.3%

Tourists (Foreign residents arrivals) are already above full year 2023 with 7.09mio arrivals. Or, +12.6% Y-o-Y to 2023 (Jan-Oct)

+74% growth for the Long Haul markets (USA, Canada, China and Singapore) to same period 2019, with spectacular growth rates at USA +101% Y-o-Y 2019, Canada at +40% and China at 90%, while Singapore remains stable

1.7mio direct (non-stop) PAX delivered from all 4 Long Haul markets, in the first 10 months of 2024

+22% growth in Greeks traveling to International destinations for the period Jan-Oct, compared to Y-o-Y 2023, resulting in almost half a million Additional PAX.

Extension of the season, expansion of Athens Long Haul network and further growth in Tourism (Foreign residents arrivals), are Athens International Airport strategic priorities.

To support such developments, Athens International Airport is offering a wide range of Incentives and targeted Marketing Support.

• For the extension of the season, Athens is offering the Off-Peak incentive, valid from October to April, offering discounts in Landing and Parking charges.

 

• Equally, Athens is supporting the introduction of additional frequencies, year-round which at the end will add to the volume of passengers traveling to Athens in the Winter and the Off-peak season.

 

• Furthermore, a significant bonus per Departing passenger is also available on selected destinations for the Winter season, aiming to upgrade some Summer only routes to year-round.

 

• For the development of the Long Haul network, airlines can benefit from discounts in Landing and Parking charges up to 100% for the first 3 years, with further discounts in year 4 and 5.

 

• In addition, a strong bonus is available per Departing passenger, on selected destinations for a total of 3 years.

 

• To support airlines in adding capacity and delivering passenger traffic in the off-peak period, Athens is offering the Low Fares incentive. This incentive is designed to support airlines by offering competitive fares in the Athens market from October to May each year, therefore assisting in the stimulation of traffic in the off-peak season.

 

Athens International Airport is working closely with its airlines and local stakeholders for the promotion of Athens as a year-round destination. Ongoing efforts in this direction, have resulted in increased popularity of Athens and its greater region and increase traffic in the Off-peak season. The airport is heavily investing in marketing campaigns to promote International destinations and airline products in the local market, resulting not only to the increase of the Athens visitors, but also to  the increase of the volume of Greek travelers. Furthermore, the airport is promoting Athens and its greater region in overseas markets in cooperation with airlines, with a special focus in the Long Haul markets.

 

Results on the targeted efforts by Athens International Airport are not only visible in the spectacular traffic results so far, but also in the planned developments for the winter ahead and for the next Summer. Based on airline schedules, available capacity to Athens is expected to increase by 10% in Winter 2024-2025 compared to previous Winter. In addition, for the Long Haul markets significant announcements are already available including the increase in frequency in the Chinese market, the addition of  one more  direct destination from the  USA with Charlotte, the additional frequencies by American, Delta and United airlines and the further extension of the season.

Athens International Airport will continue to work closely with its airline partners to further strengthen its network but also with airlines that will add new routes to currently unserved Long Haul markets. Furthermore, the airport will continue its cooperation with public and private stakeholders in the development of Tourism and Passenger traffic to Athens and Greece, as the airport is the main gateway to the Country.