Crete enters this year’s winter season with a momentum that is not out of place to claim that it is shaping a new narrative for the destination, as data from INSETE’s airdata tracker shows one of the highest increases in airline seats in the country, highlighting the island as a protagonist in the extension of the season. This picture captures a steady shift in demand, which now extends well beyond the summer months, always with the data so far.
Heraklion and Chania are on an upward trajectory
Specifically, Heraklion records an impressive increase, with 130,433 seats scheduled for the winter season, increased by 56,378 and a percentage of +76.1%. This performance brings it to the top regional gateways of the country, revealing that Crete is strengthening its tourist footprint even in the heart of winter.
Meanwhile, Chania records 24,178 planned places, increased by 7,459 and a percentage of +44.6%. Western Crete seems to be systematically strengthening its position in the winter market, attracting travelers who turn to short city breaks and short getaways throughout the year.
Strong push from key European markets
The overall momentum of the island is also reflected in the performance of the main European markets. Germany strengthens demand with +79,319 places and +9.7%. The United Kingdom follows with +20,290 and +4.0%, while Italy adds +25,027 places with an increase of +5.0%. At the same time, France records a rise of +10.5%.
With all this, Crete remains firmly in the top choices of European travelers, even beyond the summer season.
The total number of scheduled seats
The total number of scheduled seats for Greece in the period November – March stands at 6.3 million, increased by +11.5% or 649,834 additional seats. At the same time, March shows the greatest increase with +15.1%, an element that suggests strong momentum at the start of the 2026 tourist season.
At this point, it should be emphasized that the increased demand at regional airports is a clear indication of the gradual lengthening of the season and the broadening of interest throughout the year.
Crete’s exhibition program for 2025
With an eye on the challenges of the 2026 tourist season, let us recall that Crete is completing its exhibition program for 2025, having already recorded a strong presence at WTM in London and following a series of strategic participations that will seal the end of the year.
Participation in the World Travel Market, from November 4 to 6, was the starting point of the latest cycle of international exhibitions, with dozens of business meetings, new collaborations with tour operators and encouraging messages from the British market. The high attendance and interest in the destination confirmed Crete’s stable position in the European travel landscape, as emphasized by the participants.
Meanwhile, the program continues with the Greek Lux Tourism Roadshow in Canada, in Toronto and Montreal (10-13/11), aiming to strengthen the Greek presence in the North American market, as well as with Philoxenia in Thessaloniki (14-16/11), which remains a point of reference for the domestic tourism industry.
At the same time, actions are being launched in the Polish markets through Choose Greece – Choose Crete (12-13/11) and ITF Warsaw (20-22/11), as well as participation in the Greek Tourism Workshop in Riyadh (26/11), which is expected to strengthen Crete’s penetration in the Middle East. The cycle of participations will be completed with AITE in Athens (8-10/12) and the Greek Tourism Workshop in Vienna (15/12).
