Published on
August 19, 2025
Fraport Greece registered a 2.1% year-on-year increase in traffic at the 14 regional airports it operates during the first seven months of 2025. 19.5 million passengers were counted between January and July, up from 19.1 million for the same period in 2024. The general positive trend was also seen in July, when passenger traffic came in at 2.4% above last year’s, at 6.57 million passengers.
This increase in tourism activity highlights the ongoing recovery and growth of Greece’s regional airports, with a number of standout performers throughout the network.
Strategic Growth in Northern Greece and Island Tourism Shifts
The northern regions of Greece are becoming increasingly important for tourism, as evidenced by the 7.9% growth at Thessaloniki Airport, which handled 882,656 passengers in July 2025. Thessaloniki is rapidly gaining recognition as an ideal destination for both cultural tourism and business travel, strengthening the diversification of Greece’s tourism offerings. The northern Greece tourism market has shown positive momentum, driven by investments in cultural experiences, local gastronomy, and the growth of air connectivity.
Meanwhile, Skiathos, which recorded a 10.2% growth in passenger numbers in July, highlights the evolving dynamics of Greece’s island tourism. The growth of smaller and lesser-known destinations, like Skiathos, reflects the increasing interest in alternative beach destinations that offer visitors more authentic, less crowded experiences compared to more traditional spots like Santorini.
The Shift Toward Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism Practices
In response to challenges like overcrowding, Fraport Greece and the Greek government are increasingly focusing on promoting sustainable tourism practices that support both the environment and local communities. The idea is to create a balanced tourism experience that encourages visitors to explore regions beyond just the well-known islands.
Sustainable tourism practices will be a key part of Greece’s long-term tourism strategy, aiming to spread the benefits of tourism beyond the heavily congested hotspots like Santorini and Mykonos. This means investing in the preservation of natural landscapes, improving infrastructure, and fostering collaboration with local communities to ensure that tourism benefits all sectors of society.
The effort to spread tourism throughout the year and across diverse regions in Greece also seeks to mitigate seasonality, allowing smaller towns and regions to benefit from the economic boost that tourism brings.
Challenges in Popular Island Destinations and the Role of Infrastructure
Despite the overall growth, some island destinations have seen declines in visitor numbers. Santorini, which saw an 18.2% decline in 2025, remains a challenging destination due to overcrowding and rising costs. The situation has led to discussions about managing demand and promoting alternatives that can provide a more sustainable travel experience.
It’s clear that infrastructure improvements and better supply chain management will play a central role in resolving these challenges. In cities like Santorini, Mykonos, and Samos, Fraport Greece is focusing on upgrading facilities and enhancing passenger services to ensure the visitor experience is positive, even during peak periods.
Overall Outlook: Steady Growth Despite Challenges
With gains registered at the majority of airports operated by Fraport Greece, the regional network of the company continues to register steady expansion in 2025 despite difficulties experienced by some of Greece’s most iconic island destinations. The encouraging performance at Rhodes, Thessaloniki, and Skiathos airports serves to prove that tourism development within Greece is increasingly becoming diversified, with the northern areas experiencing growing interest.
The decrease in some island resorts can be explained by a number of factors, such as overcrowding, increased operational expenses, and changes in global travel dynamics. Nevertheless, Fraport Greece is hopeful for surmounting these obstacles and continuing to develop its presence in Greece’s tourism infrastructure, thus helping the country toward economic revival and development.
