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Greece has a well-developed air transport infrastructure, with over 15 international airports and several regional and municipal airports connecting the mainland with the islands. The country's busiest airport is Athens International Airport, located 20 kilometres east of the capital. It serves as a hub for further travel within Greece, with most foreign visitors arriving here before catching a connecting flight or ferry to the islands. The second-largest airport in Greece is Thessaloniki Airport, which serves the northern part of the country. Other notable international airports include Heraklion, Santorini, and Mykonos, which are popular during the summer months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of International Airports | 15+ |
| Location of International Airports | Mostly on islands |
| Largest Airport | Athens International Airport |
| Second Largest Airport | Thessaloniki Airport |
| Other Notable International Airports | Heraklion, Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Kos, Skiathos, Rhodes, Kefalonia, Zakynthos |
| Number of Regional Airports | 14 |
| Airlines | Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, Eurowings, Wizz Air, British Airways, Transavia, TUIfly Nordic, jet2.com, EasyJet |
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What You'll Learn
International and national airports
Greece has several international and national airports, serving millions of locals and visitors annually. The country's airports make it possible to reach various locations on the Greek mainland or the islands in no time.
International Airports
International airports in Greece serve both domestic and international flights. The largest and busiest international airport in Greece is the International Airport of Athens "Eleftherios Venizelos", located near the city centre of Athens. This airport is easily accessible by bus, suburban railway, or metro from the city centre. It is also connected to all other airports in Greece and receives direct flights from most European capitals and some smaller European cities. Intercontinental direct flights between Athens and North America, the Middle East, and Asia are also available.
The second-largest international airport in Greece is the Airport of Thessaloniki, which is popular among those vacationing in northern Greece. Other notable international airports in Greece include those in Heraklion, Santorini, and Mykonos, which serve several seasonal flights from abroad and can get quite crowded during the summer. There are also international airports on several Greek islands, such as Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Skiathos, Corfu, and Kefalonia, which offer direct access from several locations outside Greece without requiring a connecting flight through Athens.
National Airports
National airports in Greece typically only serve domestic flights, although they may occasionally handle charter flights from abroad during the summer season. National airports are generally smaller than international airports and are located on various Greek islands and a few cities on the mainland. Most national airports offer domestic flights directly from Athens, and a few offer flights from Thessaloniki as well. For visitors arriving at Athens International Airport and wishing to travel to the Greek islands, domestic flights from national airports are highly recommended as they save time compared to travelling by ferry from the ports of Athens.
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The busiest airport: Athens Airport
Greece has 15 international airports, most of which are located on its islands, which are popular tourist destinations. The largest and busiest international airport in Greece is the International Airport of Athens, officially named Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, but commonly referred to as Athens Airport. It is located just outside the capital and can be reached by bus, suburban railway, or metro from the city centre. It is the main international airport in the country, receiving most foreign visitors to Greece, but it also handles much of the domestic air traffic. Athens Airport is connected to all the other airports in Greece and offers direct flights to and from most European capitals and several smaller European cities. Intercontinental direct flights are also available between Athens and the US, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tunisia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Athens Airport has been recognised multiple times as one of the best airports in Europe, owing to its efficient handling. Its location in south-eastern Europe makes it an important hub between Europe, Asia, and Africa. In 2021, 12.46 million tons of cargo were transported through Greek airports. Aegean Airlines, founded in 1999, is the most important airline in Greece, serving numerous domestic and international destinations with a fleet of over 50 aircraft. It has received awards as the best regional airline in Europe and is a member of the Star Alliance. Olympic Air, privatised in 2009, is another major airline in Greece, now owned by Aegean Airlines but operating independently.
Athens Airport is well-connected to the rest of Greece and easily accessible from the city centre of Athens. For travellers wishing to visit the Greek islands, it is recommended to take a domestic flight from Athens Airport to save time, rather than travelling to the port to catch a ferry. The airport also offers connecting flights to other airports in Greece, as most airports in the country are not connected via direct flights.
Athens Airport is the busiest airport in Greece, serving millions of locals and foreign visitors annually. Its efficient operations and connectivity to Europe, Asia, and Africa make it a convenient gateway to Greece and its surrounding regions.
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Thessaloniki Airport
The airport was first established as an airfield during World War I, as part of the Allied war effort on the Macedonian front. There were several airfields at the time, including Little Mikra, Big Mikra (which became the current international airport), and the major military airfield of Sedes. The first international flight to Thessaloniki landed at the Little Mikra airfield. The airport opened to civilian traffic in 1948, after construction was delayed due to World War II. It was expanded and modernised in the following decades, with a new terminal building inaugurated in 1965. In 1993, the airport was renamed Makedonia.
The airport has a range of facilities, including restaurants, cafes, duty-free shops, and shops. It is easily accessible by road, with parking available. While there is no direct subway connection, buses and taxis provide transport options to and from the airport. Thessaloniki Airport is well-regarded for its cleanliness, staff, and food and shopping options, offering a convenient gateway to Northern Greece for travellers.
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Heraklion Airport
The airport is named after the famous author Nikos Kazantzakis and is known for its variety of shops and dining options. Passengers can find small shops, a duty-free shop, full-service restaurants, cafes serving classic Greek and American cuisine, and watering holes. Heraklion Airport also offers car rental services and taxi services to and from the city centre.
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Santorini Airport
The airport first operated in 1972, and its buildings follow the rules of traditional Cycladic architecture. Santorini Airport is the largest in the southern Aegean Sea and also operates as a military aircraft base. Due to its size, the airport can serve no more than six planes at the same time.
During the winter, Santorini Airport mainly serves flights from Athens Airport and Thessaloniki with Olympic and Aegean Airlines. In the summer, the airport operates many international flights and charters from several European airports. Destinations include major cities in Europe, such as Zagreb, Brussels, Nantes, and Dublin, as well as non-European cities like Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
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Frequently asked questions
The biggest airport in Greece is the International Airport of Athens, also known as the Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport. It is located 20km east of Athens and serves as the main international airport in the country.
Yes, there are currently 15 international airports in Greece, mostly located on the islands. The second-biggest international airport in Greece is the Airport of Thessaloniki, which is popular among those vacationing in the northern part of the country. Other notable international airports include Heraklion, Santorini, and Mykonos.
Aegean Airlines is the busiest airline in Greece, serving over 118 flight destinations. It was founded in 1999 and has received several awards for being the best regional airline in Europe.
Yes, there are 14 regional airports in Greece, managed by Fraport Greece. These airports have experienced remarkable traffic growth and play a crucial role in the Greek tourism industry.
The Athens International Airport can be easily reached by bus, suburban railway, or metro from the city centre.
