Athens, Greece – December 8, 2025 – Athens International Airport ‘Eleftherios Venizelos’ has achieved a significant milestone in 2024, officially entering the top ten airports in the European Union for passenger traffic. This notable ascent is attributed to a substantial 19.6% annual growth in passenger numbers, a performance that displaced Paris Orly airport from the top ten rankings.
EU Air Travel Surges in 2024
According to recent data released by Eurostat, the total volume of air passengers traveling within the EU reached an impressive 1.1 billion in 2024. This represents a robust 8.3% increase compared to the 973 million passengers recorded in 2023, underscoring a strong recovery and expansion in the European aviation sector.
A comprehensive review of the Eurostat data reveals that all EU member states experienced an uptick in air passenger numbers in 2024 compared to the previous year. The most significant increases were observed in Hungary, which saw a remarkable 19.2% rise, followed closely by the Czech Republic with 18.9%, and Estonia with 17.8%. In contrast, countries such as Sweden (+1.3%), Bulgaria (+3.8%), and both France and Ireland (each recording +4.6%) registered more modest, albeit still positive, changes.
Growth in Air Freight and Mail Transport
Beyond passenger traffic, the air transport sector also witnessed considerable growth in freight and mail services across the EU in 2024. The total volume of freight and mail transported increased by 8.7% compared to 2023. This growth was primarily fueled by a significant surge in transport activities to and from non-EU countries, which saw an increase of 10.8%. In contrast, intra-EU transport remained largely stable with a marginal increase of 0.1%, while domestic transport experienced a slight decline of 4.3%.
Greece Among Top Performers in Freight Growth
At the national level, several countries reported substantial increases in air freight and mail transport. Hungary led this category with an exceptional 65.9% growth, followed by the Czech Republic at 43.7%. Greece also distinguished itself as a top performer, recording a significant 36.7% increase in this segment. Conversely, only two countries, Poland and Latvia, registered decreases, with figures of -3.6% and -2.7% respectively.
The strong performance of Athens International Airport and the broader Greek air transport sector highlights a dynamic period of growth and recovery for the region’s aviation industry, contributing significantly to the overall positive trends observed across the European Union in 2024.
Source: https://sofokleous10.gr/2025/12/08/athens-airport-listed-in-the-eus-top-10-for-passenger-traffic-in-2024/
