Greece Tops Mediterranean Air Travel in August 2025 with 5.3 Million Airline Seats Driven by UK, US, and EU Tourist Surge

ATHENS, GREECE — Greece has emerged as the undisputed leader of Mediterranean air travel in August 2025, with 5.38 million airline seats scheduled across its airports—a remarkable 4.7% increase year-over-year. The rise, fueled by strong demand from the UK, US, Italy, Germany, France, Poland, Czech Republic, Spain, and Israel, reflects Greece’s growing dominance in the regional tourism market.

According to data released by INSETE (Greek Tourism Confederation Research Institute), this growth surpasses that of Spain, Portugal, and Italy, highlighting Greece’s dynamic strategy in expanding air connectivity, boosting tourism infrastructure, and appealing to a wider range of travelers across Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

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Record-Breaking August: A 5.3 Million Seat Milestone

The Air Data Tracker confirms that August 2025 will set a historic benchmark for Greece’s tourism sector. With 5,380,128 available airline seats, the country is on pace to close out the peak summer season with unprecedented air traffic levels.

Compared to August 2024’s 5.15 million seats, this year’s surge underscores a resurgence in global travel and Greece’s effective efforts to capture increased long-haul and short-haul visitor demand.

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International Markets Fuel Growth: US, UK, Israel Take the Lead

Among the top-performing source markets, Israel led the way with a 33% increase in airline seat capacity, reaching 247,692 seats. This leap reflects enhanced bilateral tourism efforts and the popularity of Greece’s religious and cultural sites among Israeli travelers.

Turkiye followed with a 31.2% rise, totaling 97,361 seats, while the United States saw a significant 24.6% boost, offering 129,193 seats. Greece’s growing popularity among American tourists has been supported by improved airline routes, seasonal charter services, and strategic promotion campaigns across North America.

Meanwhile, traditional powerhouses like the United Kingdom remained dominant, contributing over 1 million seats—a 3.8% jump from last year. The UK continues to be Greece’s top international market, with British holidaymakers favoring Greek islands and mainland destinations for their summer getaways.

Germany came in second with 817,000+ seats (up 1.9%), followed by Italy with 628,175 seats (up 4.2%), reflecting enduring European interest in Greece’s diverse offerings—from cultural heritage to beach resorts.

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Air Travel Setbacks in France, Czech Republic, and Poland

Not all markets followed the growth trend. France—traditionally one of Greece’s top five markets—saw an 8.3% drop in seat availability, falling to 336,983 from 367,415 the previous August. This decline may indicate shifting travel preferences or competitive pricing from rival Mediterranean destinations.

Similarly, the Czech Republic and Poland each recorded drops of over 8%, showing reduced seat capacity to 134,626 and 129,193, respectively. These modest declines signal potential challenges in demand or connectivity but do not significantly impact Greece’s overall upward trajectory.

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Domestic Airport Performance: Athens and Thessaloniki Thrive

Athens International Airport (ATH) continues to be Greece’s aviation flagship. In August 2025, ATH is set to process 1.62 million seats, a 7.8% increase year-on-year. As both an international gateway and a domestic hub, Athens remains vital to Greece’s tourism strategy.

Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) posted even stronger growth, with a 12.4% increase in seat capacity—one of the largest percentage gains across the country. Northern Greece’s rising popularity as a cultural and adventure tourism hub is reinforcing SKG’s role as a key entry point for travelers.

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Island Airports Show Mixed Results

Greece’s iconic island destinations saw varied performance in August:

• Heraklion, Crete: +3%
• Chania, Crete: +5.3%
• Rhodes: +3%
• Corfu: +3.5%
• Mykonos: +0.2% (nearly flat)
• Zakynthos: -0.6%
• Santorini: -7.3%
• Kos: -1%
• Kefalonia: -3.9%

The declines in Santorini, Zakynthos, and Kefalonia may reflect a maturing tourism market, concerns over overtourism, or logistical limitations tied to airport capacity. However, major island hubs like Crete and Rhodes continue to draw strong demand from European travelers, maintaining Greece’s broad summer appeal.

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Greece Leads Mediterranean Rivals in Travel Recovery

Compared to its Mediterranean peers, Greece’s tourism recovery remains unmatched. Through June 2025, the country registered a 5.7% increase in total airline seat capacity year-on-year. By contrast:

• Spain: +2.8%
• Italy: -0.5%
• Portugal: -0.4%

This commanding lead places Greece at the forefront of Mediterranean travel, supported by flexible tourism policies, competitive airfares, and consistent investment in travel infrastructure.

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Strategic Wins Powering Greek Tourism

Several factors underpin Greece’s success:

• Expanded airline partnerships with European and U.S. carriers
• Airport upgrades in regional and island hubs
• Digital visa systems and smoother arrival procedures
• Targeted promotions in key international markets
• Diversification beyond summer, including culture, gastronomy, and wellness tourism

Moreover, the Greek government’s continued collaboration with SETE and regional tourism boards ensures that national strategy aligns with global travel trends.

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What Lies Ahead

As the summer high season nears its close, Greece is expected to carry its momentum into the fall and winter seasons with cultural events, off-season packages, and increasing interest in lesser-known destinations such as Pelion, Epirus, and northern Greece.

With global traveler behavior shifting toward value, weather stability, and rich cultural experiences, Greece is uniquely positioned to offer it all.

📌 Plan Your Visit:

• Main entry airport: Athens International Airport (ATH)
• Secondary hubs: Thessaloniki (SKG), Heraklion (HER), Rhodes (RHO), Corfu (CFU)
• Best travel months: April–October (summer peak: July–August)
• Visa-free travel for most EU and U.S. passport holders
• Flight connections from London, Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, New York, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, and more

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✈️ Conclusion:
Greece’s record-breaking air travel figures in August 2025 are more than just numbers—they reflect a strategic transformation of the country into a resilient, multi-season, and globally appealing destination. With robust connectivity, cultural richness, and breathtaking coastlines, Greece is not only dominating summer travel—it’s setting the course for the future of Mediterranean tourism.

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