Newsflash from Wednesday, 12 November 2025: Greece sets a new record for winter air travel with over 6.3 million available seats on international flights, marking an 11.8% increase. Athens, Thessaloniki, and island airports see major growth.
Greece is set to experience a historic winter tourism season, with airlines offering a record 6.3 million seats on international flights to Greek destinations between November 2025 and March 2026, according to fresh data from the INSETE Airdata Tracker.
This marks an impressive 11.8% increase compared to the same period last year, reflecting the country’s growing appeal as a year-round destination and the continued strength of its tourism industry beyond the summer months.
Air Connectivity Soars Across Greece
The Athens International Airport leads the way, accounting for more than 5.1 million available seats — a 10.5% jump from last winter. Thessaloniki follows with nearly 960,000 seats, up over 10%.
Regional airports are also seeing remarkable growth. Heraklion reports a 76.3% increase, while Santorini nearly doubles its winter capacity with a stunning 97.3% rise. The Kalamata Airport also posts strong gains of 66.4%, confirming that interest in Greece’s regional destinations continues to expand even in the off-season.
Top Source Markets
Germany remains Greece’s largest winter market, providing nearly 900,000 seats (+9.8%), followed by the United Kingdom (533,000, +4%) and Italy (524,000, +5.4%). Other strong contributors include Cyprus (494,000), Turkey (394,000), and Israel, which shows an impressive 27.3% surge to 382,000 seats.
The United States also continues to play a role in winter travel, offering 97,600 seats, up 8.2% from last year — a notable sign of transatlantic demand even in the colder months.
Aegean Airlines Expands Winter Operations
National carrier Aegean Airlines is also ramping up capacity, announcing plans to offer 4.9 million seats in the fourth quarter of 2025 — a 9% increase year-over-year. The airline is boosting both domestic and international routes, with a focus on Middle Eastern destinations, further strengthening Greece’s position as a regional travel hub.
Tourism Momentum Extends Beyond Summer
The surge in winter air connectivity highlights Greece’s successful strategy to extend the tourism season. Favorable autumn weather, cultural events, and international sports competitions — such as the Athens Authentic Marathon and the ATP tennis tournament — have helped sustain visitor interest well into the colder months.
With tourism contributing significantly to the national economy, the record-breaking winter schedule underscores the resilience and diversification of Greek tourism in 2025–2026.
Key Figures at a Glance:
– Total winter seats: 6,326,734 (+11.8%)
– Athens Airport: 5.12 million (+10.5%)
– Thessaloniki: 959,000 (+10%)
– Heraklion: +76.3%
– Santorini: +97.3%
– Top markets: Germany, UK, Italy, Cyprus, Turkey, Israel
