One of the largest markets, with more than 1.85 million direct passengers in 2023 and already 534 thousand in the first quarter of 2024, is that of the United Kingdom.

Based on the figures for the British market reported yesterday as part of the presentation of British Airways’ activities and its presence at the country’s largest airport, already, in the period January-April 2024 the increase recorded in direct traffic corresponds to +7%. As for British Airways itself, it carried a total of around 500,000 passengers in 2023 and shows a +6.6% growth in 2024 (Jan-Apr 2024).

“Following the positive financial results in 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, we announced our largest ever financial investment of £7 billion across 600 different initiatives,” said British Airways’ regional commercial director Emil Delibashev yesterday at the presentation. The investment programme is ongoing and will be completed over the next few years, while in relation to Greece the airline will continue to connect with the UK “by offering premium products and services such as Club Europe and Club World”. BA’s strategy is to boost the UK as a hub for other destinations beyond the 180 from the UK market.

In terms of the overall UK market at Athens International Airport, with 1.85 million passengers, it was second in terms of international direct traffic in 2023 with +15% growth compared to 2019. The Germans were first last year, by a very small margin at 1.86 million passengers. The UK was also second in terms of international visitors with a +19% increase compared to 2019 with 687 thousand international arrivals of Brits and first were the Americans with 1.05 million international arrivals last year.

For the first quarter of 2024, the UK market, as reported yesterday, ranks third in terms of international, direct traffic in the Jan-Apr 2024 quarter compared to the same period in 2023, up +7% and second in terms of international visitors, up 24% compared to the Jan-Apr 2024 quarter.

It should be noted here that London is the most popular destination in terms of connections between Eleftherios Venizelos and European cities with AEGEAN, SKY express, Wizz Air, Jet2, easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair flying from Athens International Airport. The British capital has a market share of 83% of the total UK market in Athens, with 47% of foreign passengers (tourists) visiting Athens between October and April (low season). Hence, in recent years, connections to London have also contributed to the lengthening of the season in the Greek capital during the winter months and at both ends of the summer season.

In terms of passenger profile, passengers travelling on the route are mainly travelling for leisure (62%), while traffic for visiting relatives and friends and for business purposes account for 25% and 10% respectively. Foreign visitors living abroad account for 62%, while Greeks living in Greece account for 37%.