Following the favourable traffic development during 2003, a total of 2.5 million passengers travelled through Athens airport in the period January through March 2004, marking a remarkable increase of 12.5% compared to the corresponding period of 2003. The domestic market with 1,035 thousand passengers showed an outstanding rise of 19.7%, while the international market amounted to 1,502 thousand passengers, which is a record number for Athens airport ever, representing a growth of 8%.
During January, AIA's passenger traffic grew by 7.4%, while February showed a more favourable development posting an increase of 8.1%. The impressive rise of 20.7% in the course of March, although influenced by both the Greek Parliamentary elections and the depressed 2003 traffic (war in Iraq), illustrates that the positive trend observed since the beginning of the year, is sustained and enhanced. The majority of the main international routes presented strong growth during the first quarter of the year, marking a favourable trend of incoming international traffic. London is steadily the top destination out of Athens and achieved a traffic rise of 8%, while Larnaca, holding the second place, enjoyed a growth of 12%. Amongst the top 10 markets, Paris, ranking third, posted the highest increase of 18%. Cairo, New York and Istanbul hold the top three positions in the non-European ranking, and all marked significant levels of growth (34%, 17% and 17%, respectively). AIA's passenger traffic rise of 12.5% during the first quarter of the year, is well above the overall European trend of 7%, indicating that the observed positive trend does not only reflect the upturn of the aviation industry, but also signifies AIA's successful aeronautical strategy.