The latest data published by Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority and the Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (INSETE Intelligence) reveal the top-12 destinations in Greece that received the largest numbers of arrivals from abroad at their airports between January and June 2019.
12. KARPATHOS
The Karpathos Island National Airport on the Dodecanese island of Karpathos recorded a significant increase in its arrivals from abroad during the first 6 months of 2019, making it the 12th busiest airport in terms of foreign arrivals. A total of approximately 29,000 people landed on Karpathos during the 6 month period.
11. KALAMATA
The Kalamata International Airport “Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos” received approximately 52,000 people from abroad between January and June 2019. Kalamata airport is the main gateway to the southern Peloponnese peninsula and the wonderful summer resorts it hosts.
10. KEFALONIA
The Kefalonia International Airport ”Anna Pollatou” received approximately 111,500 people from abroad during the first half of 2019. Kefalonia airport services the beautiful Ionian island, which can also be reached by sea.
9. MYKONOS
The International Airport of Mykonos on Greece’s Southern Aegean Sea saw 144,000 people from countries around the world landing at it, between January and June. Mykonos is one of the most famous Greek islands and apart from its airport arrivals, it welcomes thousands of people through its port.
8. SANTORINI
Santorini might be Greece’s most famous destination worldwide, but, in terms of airport arrivals, it is not as high as one would expect. The small size of the island and its consequently small airport, which can only serve a small number of planes simultaneously, rank the Aegean island 8th, with approximately 179,000 arrivals from abroad between January and June 2019.
7. ZANTE
Zante’s or, as it is officially known, Zakynthos’ International Airport “Dionysios Solomos” welcomed nearly 279,000 people from abroad over the period of the first six months of 2019. With one of the most breathtaking sceneries in Greece, Zante is a very popular destination, reachable both by air and sea.
6. KOS
Kos International Airport “Hippocrates” welcomed approximately 394,000 people from abroad during the first half of 2019. One of Europe’s most famous destinations, among those of a younger age, Kos is traditionally in the top-10 of Greece’s popular destinations for foreigners.
5. CORFU
The most popular destination in the Ionian Sea, Kerkyra, or Corfu, is always among the top destinations in Greece. Corfu International Airport “Ioannis Kapodistrias” welcomed more than half a million foreign nationals during the first half of this year, ranking 5th in the country.
4. RHODES
Among Greece’s most famous destination, Rhodes is traditionally very high in the country’s list of the busiest airports, especially when it comes to foreign arrivals. During the first six months of 2019, Rhodes welcomed at least 798,000 people at its International Airport “Diagoras”.
3. THESSALONIKI
Greece’s second-largest city and the main gateway to most of the sea resorts of the Northern part of Greece’s mainland, the International Airport ”Makedonia” of Thessaloniki saw more than 1,014,000 people from abroad arriving there between January and June 2019. ”Makedonia” is also the closest airport to the popular destination of Halkidiki, especially among people from Central and Eastern Europe.
2. CRETE
Greece’s biggest island, Crete, welcomed more than 1,581,000 people at its two main International airports; namely Heraklion and Chania, during the first half of the year. Both the island’s large size and its unparalleled beauty, make it Greece’s top choice when it comes to summer holidays.
1.ATHENS
Athens International Airport ”Eleftherios Venizelos” came once again first in numbers of foreign arrivals during the first half of the year. Athens welcomed approximately 2,684,000 people from abroad between January and June 2019, making it the busiest and most popular destination for foreign arrivals in the first half of 2019.
