Athens Airport Sees Record Passenger Numbers, Expansion Underway
Published June 15, 2026
Athens International Airport (AIA) has reported a record-breaking start to 2026 with over 12 million passengers in the first five months, driven by international and domestic travel growth. A major expansion project is in progress to increase the airport's capacity.
Athens Airport Reports Record Passenger Traffic
Athens International Airport (AIA) has experienced a robust start to 2026, serving 12,235,624 passengers in the first five months of the year, a 5.3% increase compared to 2025 according to greekcitytimes.com. This surge signals a strong year for Greek tourism, with international travel accounting for 72% of the traffic. Domestic travel also saw a 6% increase, contributing to the overall growth. Flight movements at AIA rose by 4.3% to 103,430, indicating high capacity utilization.
International Travel Fuels Growth, Airport Expansion Underway
The increase in international travelers, up by 422,000, has been a significant factor in AIA's record performance as reported by greekcitytimes.com. Direct transatlantic routes, including American Airlines flights from Dallas–Fort Worth to Athens, are contributing to the rise in international arrivals. To accommodate this growing demand, AIA is undertaking a €1.3 billion expansion project aimed at increasing its annual passenger capacity to 40 million.
Key Takeaways
- Athens International Airport (AIA) handled over 12 million passengers in the first five months of 2026.
- Passenger traffic increased by 5.3% compared to the same period in 2025.
- International travel represents 72% of the total traffic, with a significant increase in international travelers.
- Domestic travel also saw a 6% rise in passenger numbers.
- AIA is undergoing a €1.3 billion expansion to reach an annual capacity of 40 million passengers.
Sources & further reading
- Athens Airport Smashes Records as Passenger Traffic Defies 12 Million Mark — greekcitytimes.com (June 11, 2026)