Meet The Winners: Athens International Airport

Athens International Airport (ATH) spoke to Routes at Routes Europe 2024 to discuss how the airport achieved a record breaking 2023 and what it meant to be crowned the winner of the Over 20 Million Passengers category at the Routes Awards in Aarhus, Denmark.

With the introduction of 39 new destinations, 19 new airlines, and 68 additional services on existing routes, ATH welcomed over 28.1 million passengers in 2023, marking a 10.2% increase from 2019 figures. This milestone shifts the airport's focus from recovery to growth and development.

ATH attributed its significant growth primarily to international markets, with North America showing a 54% increase compared to 2019 and Western Europe recording a 9% rise. Notable new services include Norse Atlantic’s nonstop flights between Athens and New York JFK which started in May 2024, with up to five weekly flights during the summer season.

In May, United Airlines also began daily service between Chicago O’Hare and ATH, while Delta Air Lines resumed its Boston route in April with 4X-weekly flights, increasing the frequency due to high demand since its launch in May 2022.

ATH is also rapidly recovering in the China market, with Juneyao Airlines initiating a direct route from Shanghai, the first such connection between the two cities. Meanwhile, in Europe, airlines have increased route frequencies, with easyJet launching five new routes in summer 2024, including Lyon, Bordeaux, Venice, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca.

Looking ahead, ATH aims to expand its connections in North America and the Far East, according to Ioanna Papadopoulou, director of communications and marketing at ATH. She also explained what it meant to win the Over 20 Million Passengers category at the Routes Europe 2024 Awards.

“Winning this award is of prime importance to us. We have a very close cooperation with our airlines, and they appreciate our efforts to market their routes,” Papadopoulou said.

During Routes Europe 2024, ATH exhibited at the event and engaged in multiple successful meetings to enhance air connectivity. “It’s been very productive, which I think is the essence of Routes. Discussing connectivity and route development is what we work for to increase and enhance air connectivity,” Papadopoulou added.

ATH continues to share its latest developments, successes, and unserved route opportunities through its Routes 360 profile.