The Hellenic Slot Coordination Authority (HSCA) has just published its forecast for summer arrivals 2025.
- Air arrivals are expected to grow 7% from the previous year and 10.9% from 2023.
- Passenger capacity is expected to grow 8.9% from 2024 and 13% from 2023.
- Santorini will experience a significant reduction in flights due to seismic activity.
- For earlier comparisons, figures do not include Athens International Airport and Preveza/Aktion Airport.
- Flight planning remains dynamic, and numbers could change closer to summer.
Their early estimations show an upward trend in planes and passengers, which on paper is great. There is, however, a catch: Santorini. Blame Mother Nature (or the shaky earth beneath), as flights to the popular island will take a nosedive.
This decrease could reduce Greece’s overall flight numbers. But hey, the rest of the country is getting more planes, so maybe it all balances out. That’s the kind of math HSCA seems to be relying on.
What the Numbers Say
Every year, starting in 2022, HSCA publishes early data on summer air travel. These forecasts show commercial arrivals between March 30 and October 25 across 22 airports. And 2025 looks like this:
- More Planes: A 7% increase over last year and 10.9% up from 2023.
- More Seats: Expect an 8.9% rise in passenger capacity from last summer, with a 13% boost compared to 2023.
But before you pack your bags, remember these figures exclude Athens International Airport and Preveza (Aktion). Why? These two airports weren’t listed as “easy-scheduling” facilities until this upcoming summer. It’s nice of them to join the club, but it messes with year-over-year comparisons.
Hope You Didn’t Bank on Santorini
As you soak in these cheery growth stats, Santorini, usually a crown jewel for tourists, faces fewer flights. Earthquakes are doing the island no favours, and this dip will ripple through Greece’s overall flight numbers. If nature decides to quiet down, maybe the schedule will adjust. But for now, don’t count on it.
Is It Set in Stone?
Not at all. These projections are based on flights that were scheduled through to the present date. The NFCO is stating the fluidity of flight coordination—basically, they’re saying, “Don’t yell at us if these numbers aren’t the same down the road.” They didn’t count general aviation flights either, only commercial flights.
In short, Greece’s summer 2025 flight scene looks like a busy airport lounge—minus a room for Santorini’s flights. Travelers can expect more planes and passengers in most regions, with scheduling quirks adjusting over time. If Santorini’s on your bucket list, maybe plan ahead—or pray for steady ground.
