Athens International Airport has made headlines in the aviation world by surpassing several major global airports—such as Atlanta International, Beijing Capital, Dubai, Los Angeles, Tokyo Haneda, and Chicago O’Hare—by recording over twenty million passengers in 2024. This impressive milestone not only cements Athens as a premier aviation hub in Europe but also marks the airport’s ongoing growth and competitive edge in the global travel landscape. The rise in passenger traffic signals Athens’ increasing importance in worldwide air travel networks.
Following the surge in travel demand after the pandemic, Athens International Airport strategically expanded its route network, successfully attracting new airlines and boosting its capacity. Notable new routes include American Airlines’ flights to Charlotte and Norse Atlantic Airways’ service to Los Angeles. These additions represent significant steps in broadening the airport’s international reach. Athens also reinforced partnerships with airlines such as Aegean Airlines and IndiGo, with plans underway to launch new connections to India in 2026, promising further network expansion.
This remarkable achievement places Athens alongside some of the world’s busiest and most renowned airports, many situated in major global cities like Atlanta, Beijing, and Dubai. Athens International Airport’s consistent performance and innovation in air travel underline its emergence as a dominant player in the aviation sector, showcasing how effective strategic planning can lead to major successes even in the highly competitive aviation industry.
In recognition of its outstanding growth and influence, Athens International Airport was named the Overall Winner at the prestigious Routes World Awards 2025. The airport’s accomplishment includes handling a record 31.9 million passengers in 2024, followed by a 6.8% rise in traffic in 2025. This accolade reflects Athens’ innovative growth strategies, robust airline collaborations, and expanding role in global connectivity.
The celebration at Routes World 2025, held in Hong Kong, saw Athens International Airport not only take home the top award but also win the “Over 20 Million Passenger” category. This event emphasizes the airport’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and service quality in the aviation industry. The airport’s record-breaking passenger figures highlight its rising stature as a critical European hub post-pandemic, with a 25% increase in traffic over pre-pandemic levels.
Key to Athens International Airport’s success in 2025 is its expanding network of routes. American Airlines’ new Charlotte service and Norse Atlantic Airways’ flights to Los Angeles, along with planned routes to India by Aegean Airlines and IndiGo in 2026, illustrate the airport’s ability to attract major international carriers. Strong airline partnerships have been fundamental to this growth, enhancing Athens’ connectivity and benefiting Greece’s tourism and trade sectors. The expected continued growth confirms Athens’ solidifying role as a vital European aviation center.
The Routes World Awards 2025 honor achievements across airports, airlines, and aviation professionals. Athens stood out for its excellence in route development and its forward-thinking operational approach, which provides travelers with state-of-the-art facilities and an expanding range of destinations. Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director of Communications and Marketing at Athens International Airport, expressed pride in the award, crediting the airport’s dedicated team and strong airline partnerships as drivers of this success.
Alongside Athens, other airports were recognized at Routes World 2025. Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Canada was awarded “Under 5 Million Passengers” due to its rapid growth, expanding transatlantic routes, and increased connectivity to Europe. Stuttgart Airport in Germany won the “5-10 Million Passengers” category for its extensive route network, serving over 40 countries with more than 30 new destinations added. Meanwhile, Prague Airport continued its upward trajectory, securing the “10-20 Million Passengers” award for the second year, boasting a significant passenger increase and new route additions.
In the destination category, Las Vegas was honored for its remarkable connectivity, achieving record inbound seat numbers and serving 174 nonstop markets. easyJet celebrated 30 years in service, recognized for its impressive network growth and adaptability across Europe. Among individuals, rising talents like Daria Sergeeva from Wizz Air and seasoned leaders such as Roberto de Oliveira Luiz from Corporación América Airports were acknowledged for their impactful contributions to air travel development.
The 2025 Routes World Awards showcased a diverse range of achievements across the aviation industry, with Athens International Airport emerging as a shining example of growth, innovation, and successful partnerships. Its record passenger volumes and expanding route network highlight its rising influence, positioning Athens as a vital and dynamic hub on the global aviation map.
