The year 2005 was marked by growth for Athens International Airport (AIA), with passenger traffic reaching 14.3 million, surpassing the 2004 “Olympic” record by 4.5%. The key driver of the overall growth was the international sector, which outperformed 2004 by 6.5% and surpassed 9 million passengers, which is yet another record for the airport. The significant increase in international traffic is attributed to the healthy rise of scheduled traffic (+6.3%), in combination with the remarkable growth of charter traffic (+20.0%). The domestic market managed to retain and slightly increase the high 2004 levels, with a total of 5.17 million passengers (+1.2%), As per geographical region, the Middle East and Eastern/Central Europe were the fastest growing regions in 2005, posting an impressive +26% and +16% growth, respectively, and gaining market share in the international market, a result signifying the positive effects of AIA' s aeronautical regional strategy. Western Europe enjoyed healthy growth (+5.2%), while, as regards long-haul regions, the North American market posted a significant increase at the level of +9%. The rise of passenger traffic during the year 2005 was marked by the highest, since airport opening, load factors for Athens International Airport, reaching an average score of 69%, 66% for domestic and 71% for international. In addition to the successful performance of the airlines operating at Athens International Airport - as this is reflected in the high load factors achieved - AIA welcomed 5 new airlines in 2005 (Blue Panorama, Donbassaero, Qatar Airways, Sky Europe, Sterling), connecting Athens with 6 new scheduled destinations (Bratislava, Bologna, Doha, Donetsk, Dublin, Oslo). Strong growth of incoming tourism The positive impact of the Olympic Games was reflected in 2005, in the significant increase of incoming tourism*. In the course of 2005, a total of 1.6 million foreign tourists arrived at Athens airport, 220,000 more than in 2004 (+16%), with the highest increase observed in visitors originating from Eastern Europe and North America (more than 40%).
AIA’s Press Office
* Source: "Passenger Survey" by QED research company (January - December / 2005, on the basis of a sample of 35,990 passengers). The survey is conducted at Athens International Airport on a daily basis, analysing the profile of AIA passengers, according to the purpose of travelling. Analytical graphs follow, regarding the structure of AIA’s traffic development in 2005, per geographical region, and most popular destinations.