Page 3 - Ath Airport Profile
P. 3
1
4-Word
May 2012
2011 was admittedly one of the most challenging years for Athens International Airport (AIA),
characterised by the Greek economy’s dire situation which resulted in a low propensity to travel, esp.
by Greek residents, extensive airline capacity reductions and the tarnished image of the city and the
country. As a result, the airport’s traffic for the year 2011 presented a modest shortfall of -6.3% on
passenger throughput and a sharper decline of -9.6% on the number of aircraft movements.
Amid the adverse macroeconomic and industry conditions in Greece, not only did AIA continue to
offer airline marketing support programs, but it also introduced new initiatives, clearly demonstrating
its active engagement in supporting its Αirline-Partners during these critical times and helping them
reduce their operating costs considerably. Moreover, in November 2011, AIA launched an important
initiative, the «athenspotlighted» program, aimed at contributing to the reversal of the negative image
of the city of Athens and boosting its attractiveness as a city break destination for foreign visitors. It
is worth mentioning that in line with this dynamic approach, in February 2012, Athens International
Airport introduced a new special incentive for the 2012 winter period, aimed at boosting air traffic in
the Athens market during the low traffic winter season and encouraging the introduction of lower
fares for passengers.
The airline industry, in recognition of AIA’s consistent and dynamic support to airlines’ development
efforts through its wide-scale and innovative marketing programs and despite the country’s severe
economic problems and overall traffic downturn, rewarded AIA in the course of 2011 with two OAG-
Routes Airport Marketing Awards, both for Europe and globally. Furthermore, in 2011, AIA received two
additional significant international distinctions for its successful business model and strong performance
(“European Airport of the Year 2011”, by the Institute of Transport Management, “Distinguished
Honoree-Company of the Year/Transportation” at the International Business Awards in Abu Dhabi).
In this 10th edition of the “Aerostat Handbook 2011”, a comprehensive, yet concise, picture of the
airport’s traffic evolution during 2011 is given, focusing on key market trends and characteristics.
Apart from major developments in typical traffic segments, Aerostat also presents the performance
of services offered to air travellers, the demographic profile and travelling behaviour of passengers,
the development of incoming and outgoing tourism passing through the airport, as well as the major
market trends in Greece and worldwide.
We hope that “Aerostat” will prove to be a key information tool providing valuable information on
the Athens travel market. We also wish to reconfirm our commitment to offering our customers and
business partners continued support via a wide range of market intelligence information and, most
importantly, the introduction of pioneer initiatives aimed at sustaining traffic levels in Athens and
Greece during these critical times.
Ioanna Papadopoulou
Director, Communications & Marketing
4-Word
May 2012
2011 was admittedly one of the most challenging years for Athens International Airport (AIA),
characterised by the Greek economy’s dire situation which resulted in a low propensity to travel, esp.
by Greek residents, extensive airline capacity reductions and the tarnished image of the city and the
country. As a result, the airport’s traffic for the year 2011 presented a modest shortfall of -6.3% on
passenger throughput and a sharper decline of -9.6% on the number of aircraft movements.
Amid the adverse macroeconomic and industry conditions in Greece, not only did AIA continue to
offer airline marketing support programs, but it also introduced new initiatives, clearly demonstrating
its active engagement in supporting its Αirline-Partners during these critical times and helping them
reduce their operating costs considerably. Moreover, in November 2011, AIA launched an important
initiative, the «athenspotlighted» program, aimed at contributing to the reversal of the negative image
of the city of Athens and boosting its attractiveness as a city break destination for foreign visitors. It
is worth mentioning that in line with this dynamic approach, in February 2012, Athens International
Airport introduced a new special incentive for the 2012 winter period, aimed at boosting air traffic in
the Athens market during the low traffic winter season and encouraging the introduction of lower
fares for passengers.
The airline industry, in recognition of AIA’s consistent and dynamic support to airlines’ development
efforts through its wide-scale and innovative marketing programs and despite the country’s severe
economic problems and overall traffic downturn, rewarded AIA in the course of 2011 with two OAG-
Routes Airport Marketing Awards, both for Europe and globally. Furthermore, in 2011, AIA received two
additional significant international distinctions for its successful business model and strong performance
(“European Airport of the Year 2011”, by the Institute of Transport Management, “Distinguished
Honoree-Company of the Year/Transportation” at the International Business Awards in Abu Dhabi).
In this 10th edition of the “Aerostat Handbook 2011”, a comprehensive, yet concise, picture of the
airport’s traffic evolution during 2011 is given, focusing on key market trends and characteristics.
Apart from major developments in typical traffic segments, Aerostat also presents the performance
of services offered to air travellers, the demographic profile and travelling behaviour of passengers,
the development of incoming and outgoing tourism passing through the airport, as well as the major
market trends in Greece and worldwide.
We hope that “Aerostat” will prove to be a key information tool providing valuable information on
the Athens travel market. We also wish to reconfirm our commitment to offering our customers and
business partners continued support via a wide range of market intelligence information and, most
importantly, the introduction of pioneer initiatives aimed at sustaining traffic levels in Athens and
Greece during these critical times.
Ioanna Papadopoulou
Director, Communications & Marketing
