2004 has been a year of records and achievements for Athens International Airport with an 11.5% passenger traffic increase year-on-year, corresponding to 13.7 million passengers. This is an historical passenger traffic record for Athens, while the total number of operated flights, i.e. 191,000 (+12.3%), is also a historical record. In addition, annual uplifted cargo rose by 8.4%, reaching 119,000 tons.
In total, for 2004, domestic passenger traffic experienced a spectacular rise, with 5.1 million passengers, an increase of 17%. The most popular destinations for passengers were Thessaloniki (+22.9%), Heraklion (+8.4%), and Rhodes (+13.2%), whereas domestic flights to/from Athens International Airport increased by 10%.
Furthermore, international traffic achieved a historical record, with 8.5 million passengers (+8.4%), by experiencing rapid growth in all geographical markets. Analytically, the largest growth was recorded in the American market (+20.9%), the Middle East market (+13.9%), and the African market (+13%). A significant increase (+9.5%) was also achieved in the Far East market, after its recovery from the 2003 crisis, while Europe sustained its steady growth (7.5%). London remains Europe's most popular destination, trailed by Larnaca and Paris.
The overall impact of the Olympic Games combined with AIA's aeronautical development strategy, consistently followed since airport opening, contributed to the significant traffic growth, achieved during the year. In 2004, AIA posted an average increase of 400 flights per week, enriched its network with 6 new destinations (Bologna, Glasgow, Katowice/Krakow, Lahore, Pisa, Trieste) and attracted 7 new airlines (SAS-Scandinavian, Helios Airways, Air Polonia, Air Scotland, Jetx, Volareweb, Wizz), 5 of which are low cost carriers, a fact that reflects the competitiveness of Athens International Airport. The remarkable growth of low cost carriers - a development widely observed throughout Europe – with the entrance of new carriers in the Athens market and the introduction of additional frequencies, led in 2004 to a 50.9% increase in low-cost services and a 40.7% increase in the corresponding passenger traffic, which represents 9% of AIA's international traffic.
This dynamic development places "Eleftherios Venizelos" in 3rd position among Europe's fastest growing major airports, (airports with more than 10 million passengers annually), as per Airports Council International (ACI) traffic results [Jan-Nov 2004].
It is noteworthy that, according to the passenger survey conducted daily at the airport (QED), similarly to the previous two years, the increase in international traffic was followed by an increase in international passengers travelling through Athens airport for tourism purposes, which for 2004 increased by 5.2%.
During this challenging year, Athens International Airport managed to fully meet its objective of efficiently servicing the increased numbers of flights, passengers, and cargo – during the Olympic Games period and throughout the year –, while preserving its high level of services. Winner of the AETRA / IATA distinction “Best airport in Europe” for 2002 and 2003, Athens International Airport keeps scoring highly in passenger satisfaction, on the basis of all relevant surveys* conducted throughout 2004.
- "Airport Image Survey", source: QED
- "Passenger Survey", source: QED
- "AETRA – Passenger Satisfaction Survey", source: AETRA (IATA / ACI)
Analytical graphs follow, regarding the structure of AIA's traffic development in 2004, per flight category, geographical region, and most popular destinations.
DETAILED INFORMATION REGARDING AIA’S TRAFFIC IN 2004
 | The vast majority of the Athens airport traffic (96.4%) was passengers travelling on scheduled services. International scheduled passengers increased considerably by 11.8%. It is noteworthy that an important factor that contributed to the above result, was the significant growth of the low-cost carriers passenger traffic (+40.7%), largely substituting the international charter traffic. |
 | Passenger traffic from/to Europe represents the 86.7% of AIA’s international traffic. The EU enlargement resulted in the respective market share increase, and the corresponding drop in the market share of non-EU Europe. The Middle East and Africa enhanced their market share by 5.0% and 11.1% respectively, contributing towards the airport’s development into Southeastern Europe’s main gateway. |
 | Considerable changes were observed in the ranking of the top domestic destinations, with Mitilini, Kos and Chios presenting significant passenger growth and market share increase, winning market share from “traditional” tourist destinations, such as Corfu, Santorini and Mikonos. |
 | London remained the most popular destination out of Athens . Larnaca, achieving a passenger growth of 17.9%, climbed in the second place overtaking Paris . Munich, with an increase in passengers of 23.9% managed to improve its market share to 5.5%, while it is worth noting the successful course of Istanbul, which managed to win the tenth place over Zurich, presenting improved passenger numbers by 26.2%. |
 | New York, Cairo and Tel Aviv remain the top 3 non-European destinations out of Athens. Bangkok, presenting passenger growth of 18.2% regained the fourth position, while Singapore climbed to the sixth place overtaking Johannesburg. It is also worth noting the entry of Bahrain in the top ten, as a result of the reinstatement of the direct services between Athens and Bahrain. |
