Tourism 2025: 26.9 million international air arrivals in the 11-month period

International air arrivals in Greece followed an upward trajectory during the January–November 2025 period, with major urban centers and Crete further strengthening their footprint, while the Cyclades remain the only geographical unit with a negative sign. The data highlight a clear redistribution of demand, with city destinations and resilient regions emerging as winners.

International air arrivals in Greece totaled 26.9 million in the January–November 2025 period, recording an increase of +5.8% or 1.5 million compared to the same period in 2024. Athens International Airport and Crete captured the lion’s share, while the Cyclades confirmed their underperformance this year, despite the overall positive picture nationwide.

Specifically, Athens International Airport recorded the highest number of arrivals during the 11-month period, reaching 8.2 million passengers and posting an increase of +706 thousand / +9.4% compared to the same period in 2024. In Thessaloniki, arrivals amounted to 2.5 million, marking an increase of +238 thousand / +10.5%.

Rhodes welcomed 3.1 million visitors, up by +65 thousand / +2.2%, while Kos recorded 1.4 million arrivals, increasing by +49 thousand / +3.6%.

By contrast, Karpathos saw a decline of –8 thousand / –7.9%, with arrivals totaling 91 thousand.

In Heraklion, arrivals reached 4 million, up by +234 thousand / +6.1%, while Chania recorded 1.6 million arrivals, marking an increase of +50 thousand / +3.3%.

Corfu recorded 2.1 million arrivals, showing an increase of +120 thousand / +6.1%, while Zakynthos recorded 1.1 million arrivals, up by +33 thousand / +3.2%. Kefalonia recorded 377 thousand arrivals, posting a slight increase of +5 thousand / +1.5%, while Aktion recorded 423 thousand arrivals, up by +27 thousand / +6.8%.

Mykonos recorded 534 thousand arrivals, increasing by +11 thousand / +2.1%, while Santorini saw arrivals decline by –103 thousand / –13.6%, totaling 654 thousand.

At Araxos, arrivals reached 85 thousand, up by +8 thousand / +10.8%, and at Kalamata 170 thousand, up by +16 thousand / +10.7%.

Finally, Skiathos recorded 285 thousand arrivals, increasing by +16 thousand / +5.9%, Kavala recorded 117 thousand (+2 thousand / +1.9%), and Mytilene 83 thousand (+6 thousand / +7.5%). By contrast, Samos recorded 133 thousand arrivals, down by –5 thousand / –3.4%.

Crete reigns supreme, Cyclades lose ground

The highest number of international air arrivals by geographical unit was recorded in Crete, with 5.6 million passengers, up by +284 thousand / +5.3% compared to the same period in 2024.

They were followed by the Dodecanese, with 4.5 million arrivals, increasing by +106 thousand / +2.4%, and the Ionian Islands, with 4 million arrivals, posting a rise of +186 thousand / +4.9%.

In the Peloponnese, arrivals reached 255 thousand, increasing by +25 thousand / +10.7% compared to 2024.

By contrast, the Cyclades were once again the only geographical unit to record a decline during the January–November 2025 period, with 1.2 million arrivals, down by –92 thousand / –7.2% compared to the same period of the previous year.