Published on
September 11, 2025
Greece joins Canada, France, the US, India, the Netherlands, and more in achieving strong travel growth in 2025, driven by increasing passenger traffic and resilient aviation markets worldwide. Athens International Airport (AIA) attributes this increase in newly transported people to the increase in new people arriving within its territory by 7.6% for the first half of 2025. Such an increase is also associated with the strengthening of Greece within the international trips’ market. A sustained rise in international traffic and the ongoing rebound of key global centers reflect the industry’s recoveries. Major European, North-American and other global airports continue to grow positively and the Greek International Airport is no exception, and is increasing its primary functionalities despite the ongoing geopolitical and economic situation.
As the world continues to recover from the aftereffects of the pandemic and geopolitical challenges, several airports worldwide have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the first half of 2025. Greece has emerged as a key player in this recovery, joining other global hubs such as Canada, France, the United States, India, and the Netherlands in experiencing a surge in passenger traffic and travel activity. This surge is particularly evident at Athens International Airport (AIA), where passenger numbers, cargo activity, and infrastructure development all experienced significant growth. Greece, alongside some of the world’s busiest airports, is increasingly positioned as a global travel hub in 2025.
Athens International Airport: A Key Growth Hub in Europe
Athens International Airport (AIA) reported steady growth in the first half of 2025, despite the continuing geopolitical instability affecting several regions. Between January and June, 15.1 million passengers traveled through the airport, marking a 7.6% increase compared with the same period in 2024. This surge highlights Athens’ resilience and increasing importance in global travel, reflecting the city’s ability to maintain its reputation as a key tourism destination.
International and Domestic Growth
International traffic led the way at AIA, with a 9.8% rise in passenger numbers. This increase underscores Athens’ growing status as a significant gateway for international travelers, especially from regions such as Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Domestic traffic saw more modest growth, rising 2.2%, a smaller increase attributed partly to the instability in the Middle East. However, the overall traffic trend indicates strong demand for Athens, with quarterly international arrivals increasing by 11.4%, reaching 5.81 million passengers.
Expanding Connectivity and Infrastructure
The growth in passenger traffic has been accompanied by a rise in flight activity. Total flights at AIA reached nearly 128,000 in the first half of 2025, reflecting a 6.8% increase year on year. International operations saw a 10.7% increase, while domestic flights grew by just 1.1%. Cargo traffic also saw an impressive rise of 9.9%, totaling 62,200 tons, bolstered by a 10.9% increase in international freight. However, postal volumes dropped by 14.6%.
This uptick in passenger and cargo traffic signals a positive outlook for AIA, further validated by strong financial results. Total revenue and other income at AIA rose by 5% to €308.2 million, with adjusted EBITDA reaching €182.3 million and a margin of 59.2%. Despite a slight dip in net profit after tax—down 5.1% to €92.2 million—AIA remains optimistic about the future. Management forecasts annual net profits of approximately €200 million for both 2025 and 2026.
Expansion and Sustainability Initiatives
AIA’s long-term expansion program is also gaining momentum. Scheduled for completion by 2032, the expansion project aims to increase the airport’s capacity to 40 million passengers annually. Current projects include the construction of a multi-storey car park with 3,365 spaces, an aircraft parking area with 32 remote bays, and a 150,000-square-meter expansion of both the main and satellite terminals. This expansion will also double the retail space available at the airport, further enhancing the travel experience for passengers.
AIA is also focused on sustainability, introducing a new charging policy to encourage eco-friendly practices. This includes a 30% discount on terminal fees during the low season (October–April) and passenger-based incentives for airlines operating more fuel-efficient aircraft. These measures align with the global push for sustainable aviation and environmental responsibility in the airport sector.
The Broader Global Travel Surge in 2025
Athens is not alone in experiencing strong growth in 2025. Many other major airports around the world have reported impressive increases in passenger numbers and travel activity. Despite geopolitical tensions and ongoing challenges in some regions, the global travel industry continues to rebound as both leisure and business travel see strong demand. Let’s explore some of the other key airports and regions contributing to this surge in global travel.
O’Hare International Airport (Chicago, USA)
O’Hare International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United States, reported a 6% increase in passenger traffic, handling over 40.1 million passengers in the first half of 2025. June alone saw 8.04 million passengers, just shy of the airport’s all-time monthly record. The increase was driven by strong demand for domestic and international flights, with several airlines adding new routes to meet the rising demand.
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Abu Dhabi International Airport experienced a notable 13.1% increase in passenger traffic, reaching 15.8 million passengers in the first half of 2025. This growth was fueled by increased travel demand to China and India, as well as the introduction of new airlines. The airport has made significant strides in diversifying its routes and improving passenger services, making it a crucial hub for travelers in the Middle East.
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (Turkey)
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport achieved an impressive 11.5% increase in passenger traffic in the first half of 2025. This growth reflects the airport’s strategic positioning as a critical gateway for both international and domestic travelers. The airport continues to benefit from the rapid development of Turkey’s aviation sector, which is expanding its global connectivity and attracting international airlines.
Rome Fiumicino Airport (Italy)
Rome Fiumicino Airport reported a solid 6.5% increase in passenger numbers, reaching a total of 34.6 million passengers in the first half of 2025. This growth can be attributed to the strong international demand for travel to and from Italy, particularly from Europe and the Americas. Rome continues to be a major European travel hub, with robust demand for both leisure and business travel.
Indian Airports: A Boom in Passenger Traffic
India’s airports have also seen remarkable growth, with several key airports reporting strong increases in passenger numbers. The country’s growing middle class, combined with increasing international connectivity, has led to a surge in both domestic and international air travel.
Coimbatore International Airport
Coimbatore International Airport, a regional hub in Tamil Nadu, saw a 21% increase in passenger traffic in the first quarter of FY25. The airport surpassed 950,000 passengers, with a particularly strong rise in international travel, which grew by 49%. This growth is attributed to the airport’s expanding international connectivity and the region’s booming textile industry.
Kolkata Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport
Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport handled 11 million passengers in the first half of 2025, bringing it close to its pre-pandemic levels. Domestic traffic surpassed 9.8 million, while international traffic remained slightly below 2019 levels. The airport’s growth reflects the recovery of India’s aviation sector, with increased demand for both domestic and international flights.
Guwahati Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport
Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport reported 1.81 million passengers in the first quarter of FY25, marking significant growth. The airport has been expanding its infrastructure, including a new terminal, to accommodate the increasing traffic. The growing demand for air travel in the northeastern region of India has driven much of this growth.
Dubai International Airport: A Global Travel Leader
Dubai International Airport has firmly cemented its position as one of the world’s busiest airports, serving 41.6 million passengers in the first half of 2023. This represents a remarkable 50% increase compared to the previous year. Dubai’s strategic location as a transit hub between Europe, Asia, and Africa continues to drive its growth, making it a key global travel destination.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: Continued Growth
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the Netherlands’ largest airport, reported nearly 6.6 million passengers in July 2025, marking a 4% increase over the previous year. This brings the total for the first seven months of 2025 to 39.3 million passengers, reflecting a 3.2% rise compared to the same period in 2024. The airport has seen significant growth in both European and intercontinental traffic, with Spain, the UK, and Greece being among the most popular destinations.
Other Global Airports Report Positive GrowthKing Shaka International Airport (Durban, South Africa)
King Shaka International Airport, located in Durban, South Africa, continues to demonstrate impressive growth in passenger traffic. The airport handled 5.04 million passengers in FY 2024–25, marking a significant 17.1% increase in international traffic. This growth is driven by several factors, including the rise in demand for both business and leisure travel to and from Africa. Durban’s expanding tourism industry, particularly in the coastal and cultural sectors, has contributed to higher air traffic volumes. Additionally, the airport’s efforts to increase international connectivity, with more direct flights to and from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, have played a key role in boosting international arrivals. This upward trend highlights the growing importance of King Shaka as a major hub in Southern Africa.
Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (Canada)
Montréal–Trudeau International Airport reported a modest 0.4% increase in overall passenger traffic in May 2025, signaling a steady recovery in travel demand. Notably, transborder travel—flights between Canada and the United States—saw a more robust 7.7% increase during the same period. This rise can be attributed to the ongoing strength of North American travel, particularly in light of the region’s growing economic ties and the ease of travel between the two countries. The airport has also benefited from its strategic position as a hub for both business and tourism, especially with a surge in summer tourism, as Canadians and Americans continue to explore each other’s regions. Furthermore, Montréal–Trudeau’s modernized facilities and improved services have contributed to a more pleasant travel experience, driving passenger growth.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (France)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), one of Europe’s busiest international airports, handled 34.6 million passengers in the first half of 2025, reflecting a 4.3% increase in overall passenger traffic compared to the same period last year. This growth is a clear indication of the strong demand for air travel to Paris, a city that remains a top global tourism destination. CDG’s strategic location as a major European hub for international connections has contributed to its continued growth, especially with an uptick in long-haul flights. The airport’s investments in infrastructure, including the ongoing expansion of terminal facilities and improvements to customer service, have also helped accommodate rising traffic. Despite global challenges, CDG continues to reinforce its position as a key player in the European and global aviation markets.
Greece joins Canada, France, the US, India, the Netherlands, and more in achieving strong travel growth in 2025, fueled by a significant rise in passenger traffic and expanding international demand. Athens International Airport has led the way, reflecting the global aviation sector’s resilience and recovery.
The first half of 2025 certainaly seems to be a unprecedented era of recover and expansion for aiports all over the world. This include canada, the frence, the US, India, and netherland. Athens International Airport in Greece, ook major passenger hubs, and cargo centers world wide. International growth such as this, rallies east with all the dire predictions of economy, politics and other woos facing world. The international travel and aviation industry has shown to be remarkably strong, and even though these strong airports have and advanced serviecs, the everywhere travel prospects have and will remain positive. Increasing growth in 2025, and beyond all outlook positive.
