(Athens) Athens International Airport is closing 2025 as Europe’s fastest-growing major aviation hub, posting record traffic, launching new long‑haul routes, and breaking ground on one of the largest airport expansion programs on the continent.
The airport handled 15.07 million passengers in the first six months of 2025, a 7.6% increase over the same period last year. June 2025 alone reached 3.45 million travelers, up 4.6% year over year. For full‑year 2024, Athens set an all‑time record of 31.9 million passengers, up 13% from 2023 and 25% above pre‑pandemic 2019 levels. By growth rate, the airport ranked as the second fastest‑growing “mega” airport in Europe in 2024, trailing only Rome Fiumicino.
That pace—combined with a heavy slate of new routes and an aggressive expansion plan—positions Athens to anchor regional mobility across Southern Europe while drawing new global travelers in 2025 and beyond.
The three pillars of growth
Athens’ surge rests on three interconnected pillars:
- Widening long‑haul network, led by growth in the United States market.
- Multi‑phase construction program to boost capacity from 26 million to 40 million passengers by 2032.
- Ambitious sustainability push aiming for net zero direct emissions by October 2025.
Airport leaders describe these moves as tightly linked: more gates and apron space allow airlines to add frequencies and new city pairs without bottlenecks, while sustainability investments reduce energy costs and offer carriers and travelers a greener experience.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the combination of new long‑haul connectivity and visible climate action is making Athens a standout in Europe’s recovery cycle, drawing interest from airlines seeking both market growth and a partner airport with a clear plan for future demand.
Route growth highlights (long‑haul, Asia, Europe, domestic)
- Transatlantic flying is the headline story:
- New direct services to New York by Norse Atlantic and to Chicago by United in 2024.
- Norse Atlantic launched the first direct link between Athens and the U.S. West Coast (Los Angeles) in June 2025.
- By year‑end 2025, Athens expects coverage of nine U.S. destinations.
- Asia expansion:
- New route to Chengdu on Sichuan Airlines.
- Increased Shanghai frequencies on Juneyao Air.
- Europe and domestic moves:
- easyJet raised capacity 36% in 2024 and added Alicante for summer 2025.
- Sky Express has grown into the second‑largest operator at Athens, aiming for 23 international and 27 domestic links by end‑2025 (a total of 50 destinations).
Airport executives emphasize a simple strategy: meet airlines where they are and tailor support—competitive incentives and robust marketing—to help routes succeed.
“A strategic priority for us is to increase our long‑haul network and identify new sources of growth in mature markets, particularly across Europe. We work very closely with airlines to meet these goals, tailoring competitive incentives and robust marketing support to meet their needs,” — Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director of Marketing & Communications (Routes Europe 2025).
Expansion: the €1.3 billion program (2025–2032)
Athens’ long‑term plan centers on a €1.3 billion expansion to raise annual capacity to 40 million passengers by 2032 (current design capacity: 26 million).
Project overview:
- Total budget: €1.3 billion
- Target capacity: 40 million passengers by 2032
- Design team (Anemos consortium): Grimshaw, Haptic, K‑Studio, Arup, Leslie Jones, Triagonal, Plan A
- Sustainability target: LEED Gold certification through passive design, low‑carbon materials, and renewables
Phased construction details:
- Phase 1 (2025–2028) — €650 million
- Immediate capacity lift to 33 million
- Additions:
- 81,000 m² terminal extension
- 32 new aircraft stands
- 2 new boarding bridges
- Seven‑story parking garage with 3,365 spaces
- Phase 2 (2028–2032)
- Adds 69,000 m²
- Brings total to 40 million capacity
- Additional retail, dining, passenger areas, and apron expansions
Design features: “Oculus” atriums with gardens, Mediterranean landscaping, amphitheater seating, and a Y‑shaped terminal extension.
Construction & management:
- Minor works began after Easter 2025; major construction starts in 2026 and runs through 2032.
- Project management: AECOM, Hill International, Salfo & Partners
- Main contractor for major works: TERNA–REDEX (three‑year timeline for core works)
- Additional sub‑project tenders close in early 2026
- Approach: phased works to keep the airport fully operational
Benefits for passengers and airlines
Passengers will see phased, tangible benefits:
- Shorter wait times, better gate availability, and smoother flows during rush periods.
- Larger seating zones, clearer sightlines, quicker security lanes, and improved wayfinding—especially meaningful for families, elderly passengers, and island connections.
- More nonstops and improved connections (e.g., direct Los Angeles service, stronger U.S. and Asia links).
Airline advantages:
- More stands/gates to support seasonal routes and long‑haul schedules without stacking aircraft and crews.
- Reduced risk of ground delays, improved on‑time performance, and opportunities to deploy heavy aircraft more reliably.
- Airport incentive packages and joint marketing support to help nascent routes reach stable load factors.
Sustainability: Route 2025 and net zero ambitions
Athens aims to reach net zero direct carbon emissions by October 2025—a milestone substantially ahead of typical global aviation targets.
Key measures:
- Existing 16MWp photovoltaic park; expansion to 35.5MWp with 82MWh battery storage due in H2 2025.
- Electrification of the vehicle fleet.
- Installation of heat pumps to replace natural gas for heating.
- Goal: supply 100% of electricity from on‑site renewables and eliminate direct fuel use for airport operations.
Impacts:
- Supports airline sustainability goals and corporate reporting.
- May influence route planning for carriers tracking airport emissions when selecting partners and hubs.
Operational management and risk mitigation
- The airport will remain fully operational during the build, phasing works to minimize disruption.
- Routine coordination between construction and operations teams to avoid peak‑period impacts.
- Monthly public updates and investor communications to keep stakeholders informed.
- Standard live‑airport construction practices—timing corridor closures, staging materials off‑peak—to limit friction.
Market context and wider economic effects
- Athens is increasingly a strong point‑to‑point market for tourism, visiting friends & relatives, and a viable alternative hub linking Southeastern Europe with North America and Asia.
- Hosts and participants praised Athens’ resilience and digital transformation at the 35th ACI Europe Annual Congress (June 2025).
- Local economic benefits: tourism jobs, hotel occupancy, conferences, and stronger trade ties. Increased demand places pressure on public transport but can attract further investment.
Regulatory context:
- Expansion and operations interact with EU frameworks on air transport, consumer rights, and climate action. For regulatory background, consult the European Commission: https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-modes/air_en
What 2026–2032 means for stakeholders
Airlines:
– Clear capacity runway (26M → 40M) to plan seasonal and new city‑pair launches.
– Better ground infrastructure reduces operational risk for long‑haul services.
– Tailored incentives and coordinated marketing to support load factor growth.
Travelers:
– More nonstops, smoother connections, and deeper domestic links (beneficial for island transfers).
– Expanded U.S. and Asian access shortens itineraries and increases flexibility.
Investors & contractors:
– High‑visibility European infrastructure opportunity with multi‑year tenders (key submissions closing in early 2026).
– Risk mitigated by phasing and choice to keep the airport operational during construction.
Sustainability:
– Route 2025 milestones offer measurable environmental goals that matter to passengers and corporate airline partners.
– Net zero direct emissions by October 2025 would be a strong talking point in route development and investor discussions.
Notable operational and future developments
- Sky Express: aiming for 50 destinations (23 international, 27 domestic) by end‑2025, reinforcing Athens as a gateway for islands and regional cities.
- Potential new direct service to India anticipated in 2026, which would expand Athens’ South Asia reach and further embed it in global itineraries.
- Month‑by‑month growth in 2025 has been steady (7.6% H1 rise), supporting a measured—rather than boom‑and‑bust—expansion trajectory.
Data, contacts, and further reading
- Monthly Traffic Reports (June 2025): https://investors.aia.gr/userfiles/LPFiles/RegulatoryAnnoucements/MonthlyTrafficDevelopment/MonthlyTrafficDevelopment_June25_EN.pdf
- AIA Corporate Contact Page: https://www.aia.gr/en/corporate/contact-us
- Athens International Airport Official Website: https://www.aia.gr
- Route 2025 Sustainability Initiative: https://www.aia.gr/en/corporate/route-2025
Key takeaways
Athens International Airport’s growth is driven by expanded long‑haul links, a major phased expansion to 40 million capacity by 2032, and an ambitious net‑zero plan targeted for October 2025. The airport’s approach—phased construction, airline partnership, and visible sustainability—aims to keep operations smooth while scaling up capacity and attracting global carriers.
Keeping 2025 growth on track while preparing for heavy construction in 2026 is the immediate test. For travelers, airlines, investors, and the city, successful execution will determine whether Athens’ current momentum converts into long‑term status as a major Southern European hub.
This Article in a Nutshell
Athens International Airport posted robust growth in 2025, handling 15.07 million passengers in H1 (up 7.6%) and continuing momentum from a record 31.9 million in 2024. The airport expanded long‑haul connectivity—adding New York, Chicago and Los Angeles routes—and expects nine U.S. destinations by year‑end. Growth is driven by three pillars: expanded long‑haul network, a €1.3 billion phased expansion to raise capacity from 26M to 40M by 2032, and a sustainability program targeting net zero direct emissions by October 2025. Phase 1 (2025–2028) will add 81,000 m², 32 stands and significant parking, with major works by TERNA–REDEX starting in 2026. Renewable energy scaling, electrification, and heat‑pump heating underpin the sustainability plan. Phased works aim to keep the airport fully operational while delivering passenger benefits—shorter waits, more nonstops—and airline advantages such as additional stands, better on‑time performance, and incentive-backed route development. Successful execution will reinforce Athens’ role as a Southern Europe hub and drive local economic gains.
