With 16.2 million passengers in 2009, the passenger traffic of Athens International Airport recorded a small decline (-1.5% as against 2008), placing the airport in the 2nd place amongst major European airports with the least passenger traffic decline in the year* (European average at -5.9%). Results were mostly driven by the strong dynamics of the domestic market, posting a 5.2% increase, while international traffic, despite suffering an annual decline of 5.1%, showed signs of recovery in the second half of the year. With total number of flights also recording a significant growth (210,000 flights, +5.4%), AIA is the only major European airport with an increase in flights in 2009, with the European average at -7.3%. AIA’s network in 2009 In 2009, Athens International Airport offered direct scheduled services to 113 destinations (80 international) in 52 countries, serviced by 70 airlines. The airport added to its network 9 new destinations (Abu Dhabi, Benghazi, Birmingham, Casablanca, Krasnodar, Nice, Izmir, Sharjah, Tripoli) and 13 new airlines (Athens Airways, Etihad, Atlant-Soyuz Airlines, Baboo, Hellenic Imperial, Kuban Airlines, Libyan, Lviv, Air Arabia, Cimber Sterling, Sun Express, Pegasus, Transavia). Domestic / International With 6.1 million passengers (+5.2%) in 2009, the domestic market recorded a historical record, mainly due to the strong dynamics of the domestic carriers, registering an increase both in flights and capacity. On the contrary, the international sector, largely affected by the global economic conditions as well as by the significant restructuring of OA’s network on the basis of the EU dictated 35% reduction, dropped by -5.1%, with 10.1 million passengers. However, international traffic despite its total loss, showed clear signs of recovery during the second half of the year, a development that seems to be continuing at the start of 2010. Regarding international geographical regions, Middle East recorded the smallest decline in passenger traffic (-1.2%) followed by Western Europe (-2.8%), while North America posted the highest load factors (80.3%).
Commenting on the airport's 2009 traffic results, the CEO of Athens International Airport, Dr. Yiannis Paraschis, stated: "In a year that was described by IATA as the worst ever for the airline industry, the marginal loss we had in our passenger traffic gives us a satisfactory end-of-year outcome. The adverse global financial situation has mainly affected our international traffic, while the domestic market recorded a historical best in terms of flight numbers and passengers. With signs of recovery at the start of 2010, we shall continue to implement consistently our route development and airline support strategy, in the same spirit of cooperation and sound planning.”
* Source: Airports Council International (Rapid Data Exchange Programme) Select the following links for AIA’s 2009 traffic statistics: