Athens, Greece – TAP Air Portugal will re-enter the Greek market in July 2026, re-establishing a direct air link between Athens and Lisbon after a 14-year absence. The airline’s return, announced during a press conference at Athens International Airport (AIA), is expected to significantly boost Athens’ connectivity with North, Central, and South America through the Lisbon hub.
TAP Air Portugal’s Return: A Strategic Re-entry
The new Lisbon-Athens route is scheduled to commence on July 1, 2026, with the inaugural arrival in Athens on July 2. The service will operate five times a week, year-round. During the summer season, Airbus A320neo aircraft will be utilized, transitioning to Embraer E190 aircraft for the IATA winter season.
TAP Air Portugal previously operated flights to Athens between 2011 and 2012, facilitating the first direct connection with Portugal. During that period, the airline transported over 60,000 round-trip passengers before ceasing operations in October 2012.
Growing Demand for Athens-Portugal Connections
The airline’s return coincides with a period of significant growth in direct Athens-Portugal air traffic. In 2025, passenger traffic on direct connections reached 261,000, marking an 18% increase compared to 2024. The first four months of 2026 have seen a further 23% increase in this traffic. Concurrently, Athens International Airport reported a robust start to 2026, with 9.02 million passengers between January and April, a 5.9% increase year-on-year, alongside 77,040 flights and 2.03 million international arrivals.
Flight Schedule and Ticket Information
Flights from Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport will depart at 21:30 every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, arriving at Athens International Airport at 03:40 the following day. Departures from Athens will be at 04:40 every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, reaching Lisbon at 07:15 local time. Round-trip tickets between Lisbon and Athens are available for purchase via the TAP website and through travel agents, with prices starting from 119 euros, inclusive of taxes.
Enhanced Connectivity to the Americas
Beyond catering to direct demand between Athens and Lisbon, the new route is strategically important for strengthening Athens’ position within the network of connections to the American continent. Data indicates that the Athens-North America market currently accounts for 2.4 million passengers, with 57% of this traffic being connecting. Traffic to Central and South America stands at 155,000 passengers, served entirely through connecting flights.
South America is a particular focus, with growing demand for Athens-bound travel. Brazil represents the largest market in the region, contributing over 50% of total traffic from South America to the Greek capital.
Primarily Leisure Travel Between Greece and Portugal
Travel between Portugal and Athens is predominantly leisure-oriented, with 81% of journeys undertaken for holiday purposes. The ratio of foreign to Greek travelers is approximately 60/40, and bookings are typically made almost two months in advance of the flight. Portuguese travelers spend an average of 14 days in Greece, with three days usually spent in Athens, while Greeks traveling to Portugal have an average trip duration of six days. In both markets, direct bookings through the airline’s website are prevalent.
Athens International Airport’s Perspective
Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director of Communications & Marketing at Athens International Airport, expressed enthusiasm for TAP Air Portugal’s return: “We are particularly delighted to welcome the direct, year-round connection of TAP Air Portugal between Athens and the fascinating Lisbon from July 2026! Portugal is a particularly dynamic market and the new route now offers travelers more options for Lisbon and, through TAP Air Portugal’s strong network, for destinations in South and North America.”
She further highlighted that the connection with the Athens market provides TAP Air Portugal with an opportunity to leverage the network served from Athens towards the broader Mediterranean region and beyond. Papadopoulou conveyed wishes for “safe and full flights” and emphasized the continuation of close cooperation to foster TAP Air Portugal’s growth in the Athens market.
TAP Air Portugal, Portugal’s flag carrier, has been a member of Star Alliance since 2005. Headquartered in Lisbon, the airline boasts an extensive network of connections spanning Europe, Africa, and the Americas, with a particularly strong presence on routes between Europe and Brazil.
Source: TornosNews.gr
