Athens International Airport (AIA) is showing strong reflexes against the international geopolitical turbulences, maintaining its upward trend. According to a report by CNN Greece, passenger traffic in the first quarter of 2026 - a period that includes two months of hostilities in the Persian Gulf - recorded an increase of 5.9% compared to the same period last year.
Domestic movement at the «wheel» of growth
The peculiarity of this year, according to the analysis of the news network, is the change of balance: domestic passenger traffic was the main driving force, with an increase of 6.8%, while international traffic developed at a more moderate pace (5.5%). This pattern was largely expected, as flights from the Gulf region, Israel and Lebanon were almost completely disrupted for a considerable period of time.
However, the situation is normalising. Airport officials revealed to CNN Greece that flights to the affected areas have now been restored to 70%. Airlines are currently readjusting their schedules, weighing the cost of aviation fuel and traffic from long-haul destinations. It is recalled that the Gulf airlines are the main link between Eleftherios Venizelos and travellers from Australia.
Compensate for losses with new connections: Direct flights to Tallinn
The gap temporarily left by the crisis in the Middle East is being filled by the addition of new European routes. As noted in the report, a typical example is the launch of airBaltic's direct flights between Athens and Tallinn.
The Latvian national airline, after almost two decades of presence in Greece (with the Athens-Riga connection), launched its new route on 29 April 2026. Flights are operated twice a week (Wednesday and Sunday) with modern Airbus A220-300 aircraft, equipped with free Wi-Fi, and last approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. With this addition, airBaltic now counts 9 routes connecting five Greek destinations (Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Rhodes, Corfu) with the Baltic capitals.
«Vote of confidence» in Greece
AIA's Director of Communication & Marketing, Ioanna Papadopoulou, expressed her satisfaction for the development, thanking the company for the «vote of confidence» in the Athenian market, noting that the new connection strategically enriches the choices of travellers.
For his part, airBaltic's Vice President Network Management, Mantas Vrubliauskas, said: «Greece is an important and growing market for us. Our ninth direct route further enhances connectivity and reflects the growing demand, offering greater flexibility for leisure, work or visiting family travel.».
