As 2025 draws to a close and the holiday season approaches, Athens International Airport (ATH) has released a comprehensive review of its network’s performance throughout the year. The report highlights a period of significant growth and expansion, solidifying Athens’ position as a key aviation hub.
Record-Breaking Route Expansion
In 2025, Athens International Airport successfully implemented 31 route developments. This impressive figure comprises 18 entirely new destinations and 13 additional new services on existing routes, significantly enhancing connectivity for travelers.
New Destinations Introduced in 2025:
- Alicante: Inaugurated by easyJet, operating as the sole carrier.
- Baku: Launched by Aegean, serving as the exclusive operator.
- Baneasa (Bucharest): Introduced by WizzAir, the sole operator on this route.
- Benghazi: A new route for Athens, inaugurated by MedSky, which is also a new airline for ATH and the sole operator.
- Bratislava: Services commenced by both Ryanair and WizzAir.
- Charlotte: American Airlines inaugurated this route, marking the 8th direct connection to the US, with American Airlines as the sole operator.
- Chengdu: Sichuan Airlines, a new airline for Athens, launched this route via Istanbul, establishing the 3rd direct link to China and operating as the sole carrier.
- Craiova: WizzAir inaugurated this route, acting as the sole operator.
- Eilat: Israir commenced services, operating specifically during the Winter season.
- Erbil: Aegean launched this route as the sole operator.
- Haifa: Air Haifa, another new airline for Athens, inaugurated this route as the sole operator.
- Las Palmas: Aegean introduced services for the Winter season.
- Los Angeles: Norse Atlantic inaugurated this route, adding the 9th direct connection to the US, with Norse as the sole operator.
- Luxor: Aegean launched this route, making it the 3rd direct destination to Egypt, with Aegean as the sole operator.
- Modlin: Services commenced by both Ryanair and WizzAir.
- Sharm El Sheikh: Aegean inaugurated this route, becoming the 4th direct destination to Egypt, with Aegean as the sole operator.
- Baghdad: Aegean launched this route, marking the 2nd direct destination to Iraq. Notably, 2025 saw Athens establish its first direct connections to Iraq, with Aegean as the sole operator on this route.
- Tripoli: MedSky, a new airline for Athens, inaugurated this route as the sole operator.
Additional New Services on Existing Routes:
Several airlines expanded their offerings on existing popular routes, bolstering connectivity and choice for passengers:
- Tel Aviv: Sky Express added services, joining Israir, Aegean, Bluebird, Arkia, El-Al, and WizzAir. This route now boasts the highest number of operating airlines at ATH, with Sky Express being the 7th.
- Berlin: Sky Express enhanced services, supplementing Aegean, Ryanair, and Scoot.
- Hamburg: Sky Express added services, complementing Aegean’s offerings.
- Lisbon: Sky Express increased services, alongside Aegean and easyJet.
- Madrid: Sky Express expanded services, supplementing Aegean, Iberia, and Air Europa.
- Lyon: Sky Express added services, joining Aegean, easyJet, Transavia France, and Volotea.
- Chisinau: SkyUp, a new airline for Athens, added services, supplementing Aegean and WizzAir. WizzAir also increased its services on this route.
- Marseille: Transavia France added services, complementing Aegean and Volotea.
- Venice: Ryanair and WizzAir both added services, joining Aegean, easyJet, and Volotea.
- Tirana: Air Albania added services, supplementing Aegean, Sky Express, and Volotea.
- Limnos (Domestic): Ryanair added services, complementing Aegean and Sky Express.
New Airlines Join the Athens Network
The year 2025 also saw 5 new airlines integrate into the Athens International Airport network, further diversifying the available carriers and expanding flight options for passengers. These new additions include MedSky, Sichuan Airlines, Air Haifa, SkyUp, and an unlisted fifth carrier contributing to the overall growth.
Impact on Connectivity and Travel
The significant increase in new destinations and additional services underscores Athens International Airport’s commitment to enhancing global connectivity. The introduction of direct routes to previously unserved markets, such as Iraq, and the expansion of connections to key regions like the US, China, and Egypt, are expected to boost tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.
This robust growth in 2025 positions Athens International Airport for continued success, offering travelers an ever-wider array of choices and solidifying its status as a dynamic and expanding European gateway.
