Airport Traffic In Greece Climbs 6.5% With Crete Recording The Strongest Passenger Growth

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Passenger numbers are on the rise in Greece, as new data shows a 4.7 per cent increase in traffic at the country’s 39 commercial airports from January to July this year. The figures reflect a continued appetite for Greek getaways, from quiet island airstrips to bustling tourist hubs.

Traffic at the 24 Greek airports managed by the Civil Aviation Authority - including Heraklion, Kalamata, Alexandroupoli, Limnos, Astypalaia, Ioannina, Chios, Kozani, Kastoria, Karpathos, Kythira, Milos, Skyros, Nea Anchialos, Paros, Syros, Araxos, Naxos, Kalymnos, Ikaria, Kastelorizo, Kasos, Leros, and Sitia - increased by 6.5 per cent in the first seven months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.

According to official statistics, the total number of passengers (including both domestic and international arrivals and departures) reached 6,633,785 between January and July 2025, up from 6,230,363 during the same period in 2024.

Which Greek airports saw the biggest growth?

Heraklion Crete State Airport served 1,693,791 passengers in July 2025, marking a 4.7 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2024.

At the same time, the largest percentage increases in passenger traffic among Civil Aviation Authority-managed airports in July 2025 were recorded at Syros Airport, which saw an increase of 125.5 per cent (3,781 passengers in 2025, compared to 1,677 in 2024), Nea Anchialos Airport, with a 12.4 per cent rise (7,379 passengers in 2025, compared to 6,566 in 2024), and Astypalaia Airport, which experienced a 10.9 per cent increase (5,455 passengers in 2025, compared to 4,919 in 2024).

Passenger traffic up by 4.7 per cent at 39 Greek airports

Passenger traffic across all 39 airports in Greece with commercial flights (including 24 managed by the Civil Aviation Authority, 14 by Fraport Greece, and Athens International Airport) increased by 4.7 per cent in the seven months from January to July 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. Specifically, passenger numbers reached 44,729,111, up from 42,713,766 during January–July 2024.

As for aircraft movements, covering both domestic and international arrivals and departures, at these 39 airports, where the Civil Aviation Authority primarily oversees air traffic control, there was a 3.6 per cent increase compared to the previous year. In total, 342,828 flights were recorded between January and July 2025, compared to 330,932 flights during the same period in 2024.

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