Voted by the Airlines: Athens Airport Takes First Place in Europe Again at the Routes Europe 2026 Awards!

Athens Airport has once again reached the top of Europe, voted by the airlines themselves!   

At this year’s "Routes Europe 2026" (May 18-20)—the largest annual gathering of the European aviation industry, held in Rimini, Italy—Athens Airport won first place for its marketing strategy and market development initiatives. Competing in the highly demanding category of airports with over 20 million passengers, the organizers noted that Athens "repeated the success of the previous year."   

The Routes Awards are unique in the industry because the voting and decision-making process relies exclusively on airlines, who reward excellence in global aviation development.  

This year's distinction is even more valuable as it comes just a few months after Athens International Airport’s major success at Routes World 2025, confirming Athens' steady momentum as one of the most competitive and growing aviation markets globally.  

The Competition: In Athens Airport's category, the other nominees were the airports of Rome, Munich, Brussels, and Istanbul (Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport).  

Growth and Connectivity in Numbers (2025)

• Passenger Traffic: In 2025, Athens International Airport (AIA) recorded a new historic performance, serving 34 million passengers—a 6.7% increase compared to 2024.  

• Network Expansion: 21 airlines (including 9 new to the Athens market) added services to the airport's network, introducing 29 new destinations.  

• Increased Frequency: 20 additional frequency increases and new services on existing routes further enhanced the city's connectivity.  

Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director of Communications & Marketing, with the airport's aviation marketing

The moment of the award ceremony

Statement from Management

Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director of Communications & Marketing at Athens International Airport, stated:   

"Winning first place at the highly competitive Routes Europe awards brings us great joy and serves as a powerful incentive to keep working with the same dedication to enhance the connectivity of our airport and our city.  

This distinction holds special meaning for us because it comes directly from the airlines, who recognize both the continuous momentum of the Athens market and the airport's steady support in their further growth.  

A warm 'thank you' to the airlines for their trust, and, of course, to my colleagues in the AIA airline marketing team for their hard work and truly collective effort that led to this outstanding result."