UK, Spain, Germany, Norway, France, Italy, Türkiye, Netherlands, And Poland, Eurocontrol Reveals Powerful Greece Among Europe’s Top 10 Travel Powerhouse Countries By Flight Numbers With AEGEAN And Jet2 Leading The Charge – Travel And Tour World

In a recent Eurocontrol report, Greece has been recognized as one of Europe’s top 10 travel powerhouse countries by flight numbers, securing its place among aviation giants such as the UK, Spain, Germany, Norway, France, Italy, Türkiye, Netherlands, and Poland. This remarkable achievement highlights the country’s growing significance in the European travel landscape, with Greece’s flight activity seeing impressive growth. Central to this surge are the leading contributions of AEGEAN and Jet2, which have played pivotal roles in driving increased air traffic, particularly on routes between Greece and key international markets like the UK. AEGEAN, with its strong domestic network, and Jet2, with its popular connections to the Greek islands, have significantly boosted Greece’s air travel volumes, pushing the nation past pre-pandemic levels and solidifying its position as a powerful player in Europe’s aviation sector.

Greece experienced the highest weekly increase in flight activity among Europe’s top 10 countries during the week of May 19-25, 2025, with a significant 6 percent rise in flight volumes, according to recent data from Eurocontrol. This surge places Greece at the forefront of air traffic recovery in Europe, underlining its growing role as a key destination in the European aviation landscape.

In total, Greece operated 1,826 flights during the specified week, securing its position as the seventh-highest country in Europe by flight volume. This marked a notable 1 percent increase compared to the same week in 2024, indicating a continued growth trajectory. When compared to the same week in 2019, before the pandemic, Greece saw an impressive 20 percent boost in flight numbers. This growth stands out as part of a broader trend where several European countries are now surpassing pre-pandemic air traffic volumes.

The primary driver behind Greece’s impressive flight surge is an increase in traffic between Greece and the UK. The routes between the two countries have seen a major boost, with carriers such as TUI Group and Jet2.com contributing to the heightened flight volumes. Additionally, strong domestic air traffic, particularly with AEGEAN Group, has played a crucial role in sustaining and driving the growth of the Greek aviation sector. These developments reflect the broader recovery and resurgence of air travel across Europe, with Greece emerging as a significant beneficiary of the uptick in international and domestic demand.

Among the top 10 countries in Europe, Greece is one of only five that reported higher flight numbers compared to 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on global aviation. Along with Greece, countries like Türkiye, Poland, Italy, and Spain have all surpassed their pre-pandemic flight volumes. This is a strong indication that air travel is returning to normal in certain regions of Europe, particularly in Southern and Eastern Europe. In contrast, the remaining countries within the top 10 group are still seeing flight numbers that are slightly lower than 2019 levels, with reductions ranging between 1 and 10 percent.

In the same week, the United Kingdom led the European aviation market, operating 6,278 flights, which represented a 4 percent increase from the previous week. This sustained rise in flight volumes highlights the UK’s continued strong position in European aviation and its recovery post-pandemic. Spain, which has long been a major aviation hub in Southern Europe, followed closely behind with 5,748 flights, reflecting a 3 percent increase over the previous week. Meanwhile, Germany held its ground with 5,435 flights, maintaining a steady volume in the face of fluctuating demand across the continent.

Other European countries also experienced notable changes in their flight volumes during this period. France saw a 4 percent increase in the number of flights, totaling 4,735 flights, showing a steady upward trend in air traffic. Italy, another key player in European aviation, reported 4,426 flights, a 2 percent increase compared to the previous week, signaling ongoing recovery in its tourism and business travel sectors. Türkiye, with its robust tourism industry, reported 3,478 flights, marking a 3 percent increase over the same period.

The Netherlands, despite maintaining a stable volume of 1,738 flights, showed no change in its traffic levels, indicating a period of stability following the recovery from the pandemic. Poland, with 1,416 flights, saw a modest 2 percent rise, while Norway recorded 1,410 flights, also up by 3 percent. These incremental increases in flight volumes suggest that while these countries are recovering, they may not yet be experiencing the same level of explosive growth as Greece or the UK.

Overall, European air traffic for the week totaled 32,917 flights, representing a 4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. This reflects a positive growth trend for the European aviation industry as a whole. When compared to the same week in 2019, European flight volumes are 2 percent higher, which is a promising sign that air travel is not only recovering but has managed to surpass pre-pandemic levels in many markets.

The steady growth in European air traffic is further evidence of the strong rebound of the aviation sector in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As countries like Greece, the UK, and others continue to see robust increases in flight volumes, it’s clear that the aviation industry in Europe is on a solid path toward recovery. The growing international and domestic demand, driven by both leisure and business travel, points toward a promising future for European aviation as it continues to expand and adapt to changing travel behaviors.

Greece has secured its place among Europe’s top 10 travel powerhouse countries by flight numbers, with a notable surge in air traffic driven by AEGEAN and Jet2, particularly on routes to and from the UK. This growth has positioned Greece as a key player in the European aviation sector, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Greece’s standout performance during the week of May 19-25 not only highlights the country’s significance in the European aviation market but also reflects the broader regional trends of recovery and growth. As international and domestic travel continues to rebound, Greece’s aviation sector is well-positioned to capitalize on the upward trajectory of European air traffic, ensuring it remains a key player in the competitive European travel landscape. The recovery is expected to gain momentum as summer approaches, driving even higher demand for air travel across the continent.