While the first data of 2026 show a larger flow of visitors to the country, questions are growing as to whether the infrastructure of the Greek airports will manage to deal with the additional tourism.
The start of 2026 comes to confirm that the dynamics of Greek tourism are not only maintained, but are accelerating. The first data from the 14 regional airports managed by Fraport Greece show an 8.1% increase in passenger traffic in January, with 717,808 passengers in total. The percentage is particularly important as it concerns a month that was “dead” in terms of tourism until a few years ago. And this fact reinforces the assessment that demand is now acquiring more structural characteristics and is not limited exclusively to the summer peak.
Domestic traffic increased by 10.4%, acting as a stabilizer, while the increase in the international segment was 4.6%. The German market remains a strategic pillar, with 42,431 arrivals, confirming that Germany continues to be the “backbone” of demand. Thessaloniki (+7.4%), Santorini (+19%), Rhodes (+11.6%) and Chania (+8%) moved upwards, showing that tourist activity is gaining duration beyond the classic peak season.
The main question, however, concerns how the Greek tourist infrastructure will manage the ever-increasing tourist flow… Since the airports have been strained for two years now.
From the 2025 record to 2026 expectations
2025 closed with a historic high for Greek airports: 83.3 million passengers at 39 airports, an increase of approximately 4.9% compared to 2024. At Athens International Airport (“Eleftherios Venizelos”), the increase was even stronger, approximately 6.7%, with the total number reaching 34 million passengers. Fraport’s regional flights exceeded 37 million, with an increase of 3%.
Based on this starting point, most forecasts for 2026 converge on an annual increase of 4%–6%, assuming that there will be no external turbulence. The strong start to January reinforces the scenario of a continuation of the upward trajectory.
However, as demand increases, the question becomes more and more acute: can the infrastructure follow and serve properly, contributing to the broader travel experience?
“Eleftherios Venizelos” facing a transitional phase
“Eleftherios Venizelos” airport has already entered a period of major investments. Perhaps with a delay, of course, since its load limit has been reached for two years, according to competent sources. The multi-year expansion program, with a budget of approximately 1 billion euros, aims to increase capacity to 40 million passengers and upgrade passenger infrastructure with a completion horizon of 2032.
However, the critical point is that the increase in demand precedes the completion of the projects. In 2026 and the following years, the airport will essentially operate in a “transitional regime”: increased traffic with infrastructure that is being expanded but has not yet been completed. During peak periods – especially spring and summer – this translates into pressure at points such as security checks, boarding gates and passport control areas. And already last year this issue has become visible with huge queues at the counters, but also with airspace congestion (ATC), something that airlines are not happy about, which is forced to delays, reducing their performance in terms of accuracy of departure and arrival times.
Regionally: growth, but…
At Fraport’s 14 airports, the picture is twofold. On the one hand, the increase in January confirms that the tourist season is expanding. On the other hand, most of these airports were designed for an intense but short-term peak. When traffic expands over time, the need for stable staffing, adequate controls and slot management becomes more complex.
Fraport has already completed a significant cycle of upgrades since 2017. However, the continuous increase in demand creates new data. In destinations such as Santorini or Rhodes, where infrastructure operates close to its limits in the summer, an additional 5%–6% increase could mean significant operational adjustments.
The big challenge: capacity vs demand
2026 is shaping up to be a year of balance between demand and management capacity. Greece remains an extremely attractive destination, with airlines strengthening connections and extending operating periods. But the increase is not only numerical – it is also qualitative. Travelers expect speed, comfort and digital services.
If investments “run” at the projected pace, the country will be able to absorb the medium-term growth. However, if demand accelerates faster than expansions, the pressures will be visible – not only in terms of passenger experience, but also in the overall image of the tourism product. And this is a problem that, based on the data, does not appear to have a short-term answer.
Full article in Greek here topontiki.gr
Obviously, we should all emigrate out of Greece, so that the idiot Mitsomalakas can turn the entire country into a tourist resort. And he can also sell all our housing and schools to Chinese, Israelis and Turks.