Passenger Traffic Flies High at Athens Airport, Up 9.7% in September

Athens International Airport. Photo © Greek Travel Pages

Passenger traffic at Athens International Airport (AIA) reached 3.3 million in September 2024, marking a 9.7 percent increase compared to the same month in 2023.

According to airport data, both domestic and international passenger traffic surpassed 2023 levels, with domestic traffic up by 4 percent and international traffic rising by 12.3 percent.

During January-September 2024, AIA handled a total of 24.56 million passengers, a 13.3 percent increase year-over-year. During this period, domestic passenger traffic rose by 7.3 percent, while international traffic climbed by 16 percent.

Athens International Airport saw 207,744 flights in the first nine months of the year, an 11.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. This included a 5.2 percent increase in domestic flights and a 16.6 percent rise in international flights.

AIA on the way to new record year

The September figures confirm forecasts that 2024 will be a new record year for Athens Airport, barring any unforeseen disruptions in air transport, according to AIA’s Director of Communications & Marketing, Ioanna Papadopoulou.

Speaking during the 7th Infrastructures – Transportation ITC 2024 Conference held recently in Athens, Papadopoulou highlighted that traffic in 2023 had already exceeded pre-pandemic levels, with over 28 million visitors, up 10.2 percent from 2019. She noted that during the first eight months of 2024 alone, Athens Airport welcomed more than 21 million passengers, representing a 13.9 percent year-over-year increase.

“If all continues as expected, we won’t just be looking at a successful year but at another record-breaking one,” she added.

Athens Airport’s Ioanna Papadopoulou (third from right) at the 7th Infrastructures – Transportation ITC 2024 Conference in Athens. Photo source: AIA

Out of Athens Airport’s top 20 traveler source markets, 18 have shown significant growth in 2024, with Israel and Romania being the only exceptions.

Athens Airport to introduce new airline incentives

During the conference, Papadopoulou also announced that Athens Airport will soon introduce incentives for airlines to upgrade seasonal routes to year-round services or add new routes during low-demand periods. These initiatives aim to boost passenger traffic during the winter months.

Key elements of AIA’s strategic plan include further expansion into overseas markets, with a focus on the United States and Asia.

“While continuing to prioritize our major traditional markets, we are keenly interested in developing overseas routes and increasing off-peak traffic,” Papadopoulou explained.

Athens International Airport. Photo © Greek Travel Pages

Athens Airport’s success in attracting new international airlines this year is notable, with Air Arabia, China’s Juneyao Air, and Norwegian carrier Norse now serving the airport.

Looking ahead, American Airlines has already announced a new route between Athens and Charlotte, North Carolina, beginning June 6, as part of the 2025 season.