International Air Arrivals to Greece Rise 3.8% as Travel Revenue Increases

In Brief: Greece recorded 10.7 million international air arrivals between January and June 2026, up 3.8% from the same period a year earlier, while travel receipts for January through May rose 25.8% to €5.32 billion, according to INSETE’s July 2026 Statistical Bulletin.

Athens International Airport recorded 3.8 million international arrivals during the January-June period, down 0.04% from a year earlier. – Image Credit Unsplash

International Arrivals Increase in First Half

Greece recorded 10.7 million international air arrivals from January through June, an increase of 396,000 arrivals, or 3.8%, from the corresponding period in 2025, according to INSETE’s July 2026 Statistical Bulletin.

June accounted for 4.1 million international air arrivals, up 80,000, or 2%, from June 2025.

Athens Records Marginal Decline

Athens International Airport recorded 3.8 million international arrivals during the January-June period, down 0.04% from a year earlier.

Thessaloniki Airport received 1.2 million international arrivals, an increase of 66,000, or 5.6%, from the same period in 2025.

Regional Destinations Report Growth

All geographical regions listed in the bulletin recorded increases in international air arrivals during the first half of 2026.

Crete recorded 2.1 million arrivals, up 168,000, or 8.8%, from the first six months of 2025. The Dodecanese recorded 1.6 million arrivals, up 27,000, or 1.7%, while the Ionian Islands received 1.4 million arrivals, an increase of 95,000, or 7.5%.

The Cyclades reported 350,000 international arrivals, up 22,000, or 6.7%. The Peloponnese received 83,000 arrivals, an increase of 3.1%.

Travel Receipts Reach €5.32 Billion

Travel receipts reached €5.32 billion from January through May, rising 25.8% from the same period in 2025.

Receipts from residents of European Union countries increased 18% to €2.676 billion, while receipts from residents of other countries rose 36.9% to €2.420 billion.

Receipts from euro area countries totaled €2.262 billion, up 20.9%. Receipts from EU countries outside the euro area increased 4.5% to €414 million.

United Kingdom and United States Contribute to Revenue Growth

Travel receipts from Germany rose 0.3% to €761 million. Receipts from France increased 13.3% to €284 million, while receipts from Italy rose 27.6% to €222 million.

Receipts from the United Kingdom increased 50.9% to €736 million, and receipts from the United States rose 19.4% to €539 million.