2004 has been a year of records and achievements for Athens International Airport with an 11.5% passenger traffic increase year-on-year, corresponding to 13.7 million passengers. This is an historical passenger traffic record for Athens, while the total number of operated flights, i.e. 191,000 (+12.3%), is also a historical record. In addition, annual uplifted cargo rose by 8.4%, reaching 119,000 tons. In total, for 2004, domestic passenger traffic experienced a spectacular rise, with 5.1 million passengers, an increase of 17%. The most popular destinations for passengers were Thessaloniki (+22.9%), Heraklion (+8.4%), and Rhodes (+13.2%), whereas domestic flights to/from Athens International Airport increased by 10%. Furthermore, international traffic achieved a historical record, with 8.5 million passengers (+8.4%), by experiencing rapid growth in all geographical markets. Analytically, the largest growth was recorded in the American market (+20.9%), the Middle East market (+13.9%), and the African market (+13%). A significant increase (+9.5%) was also achieved in the Far East market, after its recovery from the 2003 crisis, while Europe sustained its steady growth (7.5%). London remains Europe's most popular destination, trailed by Larnaca and Paris. The overall impact of the Olympic Games combined with AIA's aeronautical development strategy, consistently followed since airport opening, contributed to the significant traffic growth, achieved during the year. In 2004, AIA posted an average increase of 400 flights per week, enriched its network with 6 new destinations (Bologna, Glasgow, Katowice/Krakow, Lahore, Pisa, Trieste) and attracted 7 new airlines (SAS-Scandinavian, Helios Airways, Air Polonia, Air Scotland, Jetx, Volareweb, Wizz), 5 of which are low cost carriers, a fact that reflects the competitiveness of Athens International Airport. The remarkable growth of low cost carriers - a development widely observed throughout Europe – with the entrance of new carriers in the Athens market and the introduction of additional frequencies, led in 2004 to a 50.9% increase in low-cost services and a 40.7% increase in the corresponding passenger traffic, which represents 9% of AIA's international traffic. This dynamic development places "Eleftherios Venizelos" in 3rd position among Europe's fastest growing major airports, (airports with more than 10 million passengers annually), as per Airports Council International (ACI) traffic results [Jan-Nov 2004]. It is noteworthy that, according to the passenger survey conducted daily at the airport (QED), similarly to the previous two years, the increase in international traffic was followed by an increase in international passengers travelling through Athens airport for tourism purposes, which for 2004 increased by 5.2%. During this challenging year, Athens International Airport managed to fully meet its objective of efficiently servicing the increased numbers of flights, passengers, and cargo – during the Olympic Games period and throughout the year –, while preserving its high level of services. Winner of the AETRA / IATA distinction “Best airport in Europe” for 2002 and 2003, Athens International Airport keeps scoring highly in passenger satisfaction, on the basis of all relevant surveys* conducted throughout 2004.
Analytical graphs follow, regarding the structure of AIA's traffic development in 2004, per flight category, geographical region, and most popular destinations.
DETAILED INFORMATION REGARDING AIA’S TRAFFIC IN 2004