Greek Airports See 5% Passenger Traffic Rise in First Half of 2026

Greek airports experienced a robust 5% surge in passenger traffic during the first half of 2026, signaling continued growth in air travel and tourism. Data from the Civil Aviation Authority (YPA) revealed that 33.96 million passengers passed through 39 commercial airports between January and June, a notable increase from the 32.36 million recorded in the same period of 2025. This rise in passenger numbers was accompanied by a 4.6% increase in aircraft movements, with a total of 265,798 flights. The growth was particularly strong at the 24 regional airports managed by YPA, which saw a 6.2% jump in passenger traffic. These airports handled 4.78 million passengers in the first six months of 2026, up from 4.5 million the previous year. Among these, Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" stood out, setting a new record for June passenger traffic. The airport served 1.425 million passengers in June 2026, a 2.1% increase from June 2025, maintaining its position as the busiest airport managed by YPA. The positive trend extended to June, with YPA-managed airports recording a 2.7% increase in passenger traffic compared to the same month in 2025. The overall figures underscore the strong upward trajectory of air travel in Greece, driven by sustained tourism demand and robust air connectivity throughout the first half of the year.