Greeks ‘Escaping’ Abroad and to the Islands for 3-Day Weekend Holidays

Greek airline company AEGEAN and the country’s airports are gearing up for two busy weekends ahead of the Clean Monday and Greek Independence Day holidays as travelers plan to jet off to international destinations as well as domestic locations.

According to data provided by AEGEAN from its hubs in Athens and Thessaloniki, passenger traffic at Greek airports is set to increase these days for both upcoming three-day weekends.

Citing data from its bookings, AEGEAN said occupancy is up on its planes for both the Clean Monday (March 18) and Greek Independence Day (March 25) holidays, with Greeks mainly traveling abroad and opting for Northern European cities.

Clean Monday

Passenger traffic for the three-day weekend of Clean Monday from the company’s hubs in both Athens and Thessaloniki appears very satisfactory, with occupancy reaching and in some cases exceeding 75 percent so far. The company sees its last available seats going to last-minute bookings.

According to the company’s data, Greek passengers departing from Athens are showing a greater preference for short getaways abroad (more than 80 percent of total passenger traffic of the three-day weekend concerns international flights), while passengers from Thessaloniki are showing the same preference for destinations abroad and domestic as well.

High passenger traffic to international destinations from Athens and Thessaloniki is observed mainly on Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 15, with travelers returning mainly on the day of Clean Monday (March 18) but also on Tuesday (March 19).

Top domestic, international destinations from Athens and Thessaloniki hubs

From Athens airport, Greek travelers are headed to Oslo, Bologna, Geneva, Amsterdam and Lisbon, while from Thessaloniki they are flying to Frankfurt, Berlin, Larnaca, Munich and Dusseldorf.

With regard to domestic destinations, passengers from Athens have booked to Naxos, Skiathos, Santorini, Leros and Sitia, while from Thessaloniki they are going to Chios, Mytilini, Kos, Heraklion and Limnos.

Aegean’s data shows that Greeks are now tending to travel and explore less commercial as well as less expensive destinations.

For example, instead of choosing Paris, London or Rome, preferences have shifted to Oslo, Bologna, Munich, Dusseldorf and Geneva. Regarding domestic destinations, the Greek islands dominate the top 5 list of choices.

Moreover, AEGEAN’s data shows Marrakesh gathering a significant preference with flights to/from the city’s airport showing occupancy exceeding 95 percent during the three-day weekend periods.

Greek Independence Day

So far, occupancy rates for the March 25 three-day weekend are at 70 percent for flights from both the company’s hubs in Athens and Thessaloniki and are expected to increase significantly as the date approaches.

Greek passengers, departing from Athens, are showing a greater preference for short getaways abroad (more than two thirds of total passengers have booked to go to foreign destinations), while travelers from Thessaloniki seem to have chosen to go both abroad as well as travel domestic.