Page 55 - Ath Airport Profile
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The unfavourable environment in Greece alongside Crete suffering the most. The average length of
the financial instability worldwide, affected stay in Greece remained unchanged compared to
the tourism sector negatively in 2011. Athens corresponding 2010 levels and was estimated at 15
International Airport welcomed almost 2.8 million days.
foreigners, with the proportion of the respective
group reaching 61% of international traffic. The The incoming business segment was severely hit
overall decline of incoming passengers by 4% was by the unfavourable economic conditions and
caused by the significant drop of business travel to consequent corporate budget cuts. Business
Athens (-6%), while passengers travelling for leisure travellers amounted to almost 672,000 passengers in
showed a lesser decline of 4%. Except for the three- 2011, indicating a significant drop especially during
month period of May-July, the remaining months the last two months of the year. However, positive
reflected this negative development, while the last signs were apparent with passengers from Cyprus
three months of 2011 suffered double-digit decline. and France who showed a preference for Greece for
their business. Three out of ten foreign travellers
Focusing on geographical regions, the only market who visited Greece for business transferred to other
displaying a dynamic performance was Eastern Greek destinations, mainly Crete and Thessaloniki.
Europe, with Russia and Poland presenting the
highest volumes of incoming leisure traffic and, Greek residents partly counterbalanced the drop
additionally, showing a significant increase (15% in international traffic. The respective group of
and 26% respectively). On the other hand, Western passengers - resisting the overall trend - showed a
Europe presented negative figures overall, with the 2% decline only, amounting to approximately 1.8
volume of leisure passengers reaching 1.2 million million. Business traffic remained at similar levels
arriving passengers, i.e., a drop of 5%. Among to 2010, while only 35,000 fewer Greek passengers
European citizens, the British continued to hold travelled abroad on leisure.
the first position in terms of volume with 265,000
arriving passengers, followed by Cypriot and French Due to strong VFR traffic, Cyprus and Great Britain
nationals. The European countries with significant remained the Greeks’ favourite destinations
volumes and a positive development, were Cyprus presenting the highest volumes of travellers, while
(+12%), Spain (+1%), the Netherlands (+12%), outgoing passengers traditionally prefer Italy as a
Turkey (+9%) and Denmark (+6%). The decline of tourism destination. Greek residents usually plan
North American citizens (-4%) directly contributed their trip for Easter time and after the end of the
to the negative course of tourism in Athens overall, summer period, spending on average 16 days
since United States nationals represent the highest abroad.
volume of tourists passing through the airport
(411,000). Outgoing business traffic - estimated at
approximately 686,000 - presented a positive
Despite the capital’s negative exposure during 2011, development especially from March to June
almost 1.6 million foreigners visited Athens and its 2011. Within Europe, Germany remained the first
catchment area, enjoying a marginal increase of choice for Greek business people, followed by
1%. The introduction of direct flights from Europe Italy, Cyprus and Turkey. Double digit growth was
to domestic destinations resulted in a decline in the apparent in outgoing business traffic to the United
Athens airport transfer product, with respective Kingdom, while France also experienced a positive
incoming traffic presenting a sharp decline by 14%. performance. Greek travellers, on average, spent
Almost all domestic destinations via Athens were almost a week abroad when travelling for business
severely affected, with Santorini, Mykonos and reasons.
The unfavourable environment in Greece alongside Crete suffering the most. The average length of
the financial instability worldwide, affected stay in Greece remained unchanged compared to
the tourism sector negatively in 2011. Athens corresponding 2010 levels and was estimated at 15
International Airport welcomed almost 2.8 million days.
foreigners, with the proportion of the respective
group reaching 61% of international traffic. The The incoming business segment was severely hit
overall decline of incoming passengers by 4% was by the unfavourable economic conditions and
caused by the significant drop of business travel to consequent corporate budget cuts. Business
Athens (-6%), while passengers travelling for leisure travellers amounted to almost 672,000 passengers in
showed a lesser decline of 4%. Except for the three- 2011, indicating a significant drop especially during
month period of May-July, the remaining months the last two months of the year. However, positive
reflected this negative development, while the last signs were apparent with passengers from Cyprus
three months of 2011 suffered double-digit decline. and France who showed a preference for Greece for
their business. Three out of ten foreign travellers
Focusing on geographical regions, the only market who visited Greece for business transferred to other
displaying a dynamic performance was Eastern Greek destinations, mainly Crete and Thessaloniki.
Europe, with Russia and Poland presenting the
highest volumes of incoming leisure traffic and, Greek residents partly counterbalanced the drop
additionally, showing a significant increase (15% in international traffic. The respective group of
and 26% respectively). On the other hand, Western passengers - resisting the overall trend - showed a
Europe presented negative figures overall, with the 2% decline only, amounting to approximately 1.8
volume of leisure passengers reaching 1.2 million million. Business traffic remained at similar levels
arriving passengers, i.e., a drop of 5%. Among to 2010, while only 35,000 fewer Greek passengers
European citizens, the British continued to hold travelled abroad on leisure.
the first position in terms of volume with 265,000
arriving passengers, followed by Cypriot and French Due to strong VFR traffic, Cyprus and Great Britain
nationals. The European countries with significant remained the Greeks’ favourite destinations
volumes and a positive development, were Cyprus presenting the highest volumes of travellers, while
(+12%), Spain (+1%), the Netherlands (+12%), outgoing passengers traditionally prefer Italy as a
Turkey (+9%) and Denmark (+6%). The decline of tourism destination. Greek residents usually plan
North American citizens (-4%) directly contributed their trip for Easter time and after the end of the
to the negative course of tourism in Athens overall, summer period, spending on average 16 days
since United States nationals represent the highest abroad.
volume of tourists passing through the airport
(411,000). Outgoing business traffic - estimated at
approximately 686,000 - presented a positive
Despite the capital’s negative exposure during 2011, development especially from March to June
almost 1.6 million foreigners visited Athens and its 2011. Within Europe, Germany remained the first
catchment area, enjoying a marginal increase of choice for Greek business people, followed by
1%. The introduction of direct flights from Europe Italy, Cyprus and Turkey. Double digit growth was
to domestic destinations resulted in a decline in the apparent in outgoing business traffic to the United
Athens airport transfer product, with respective Kingdom, while France also experienced a positive
incoming traffic presenting a sharp decline by 14%. performance. Greek travellers, on average, spent
Almost all domestic destinations via Athens were almost a week abroad when travelling for business
severely affected, with Santorini, Mykonos and reasons.
