The overview of international air traffic to Greece during the winter period clearly shows that the country is no longer an exclusively summer destination. The data from INSETE show a steady and substantial increase in demand for travel from abroad during the winter months, with airlines dynamically increasing the availability of seats throughout the country. The upward trend in city breaks, as well as the enhancement of island destinations outside the summer period, are shaping a new scene for Greek tourism.
The dynamic monitoring of airline seat scheduling for incoming international flights continues during the winter season (November 2025 – March 2026) through the Air Data Tracker, INSETE’s digital hub for analyzing data on incoming international flights.
Based on the available data (16/11), the scheduled seats amount to 6.3 million, recording an increase of 649,834 seats (+11.5%). This development confirms that Greece is strengthening its position in international winter air traffic flows. Athens and Thessaloniki as city break destinations welcome the majority of the winter traffic with 81% and 15% respectively. The city break as a tourist product, after all, shows dynamism throughout the year, highlighting prospects for systematic development in other cities as well. At the same time, there are increases in scheduled positions in more and more destinations, including popular islands, reflecting the growing desire to travel beyond the summer season.
According to the analysis of the available data, the following main points are derived as follows:
Scheduled positions per month
For the winter period November – March, 6.3 million airline seats have been scheduled, recording an increase of +649,834 / +11.5% compared to 2024/25.
Detailed by month:
- November: 1,357,211 positions (+136,901 / +11.2%)
- December: 1,288,657 positions (+111,031 / +9.4%)
- January: 1,151,059 positions (+107,169 / +10.3%)
- February: 1,091,814 positions (+107,811 / +11.0%)
- March: 1,422,644 positions (+186,922 / +15.1%)
The largest increase occurred in March, indicating a promising start to the new tourist season.
Main markets & changes
The main markets show a significant increase in the supply of seats for the 2025/26 season:
- Germany: 898,065 positions → (+79,319 / +9.7%)
- United Kingdom: 533,531 positions → (+20,290 / +4.0%)
- Italy: 522,420 positions → (+25,027 / +5.0%)
- France: 266,506 positions → (+25,268 / +10.5%)
- Netherlands: 210,962 seats → (+5,267 / +2.6%)
Athens and Thessaloniki
The country’s two largest airports are significantly increasing their positions:
- Athens: 5,110,498 seats (+474,101 / +10.2%)
- Thessaloniki: 958,100 seats (+86,464 / +9.9%)
Athens continues to be the main hub for winter passenger traffic, welcoming 81% of total seats, while Thessaloniki welcomes 15% respectively.
Strong increases at regional airports
Several island destinations are recording very high percentage increases, even exceeding 70%:
- Santorini: 7,523 seats (+3,710 / +97.3%)
- Zakynthos: 3,609 spots (+1,598 / +79.5%)
- Heraklion: 130,433 seats (+56,378 / +76.1%)
- Kalamata: 11,504 seats (+4,589 / +66.4%)
- Chania: 24,178 seats (+7,459 / +44.6%)
- Corfu: 17,649 seats (+5,429 / +44.4%)
- Rhodes: 34,747 seats (+9,866 / +39.7%)
- Mykonos: 2,159 positions (+573 / +36.1%)
- Greece & Competitors
The following table shows the scheduled airline seats for the winter season in Greece and competitive destinations. From the absolute figures, it appears that despite the significant increase (+11.5%) in the number of available seats on international flights to Greece, these seats are significantly fewer than those available on competing destinations with a more extensive network and higher demand, as they have developed suitable tourist products for the winter season.
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