Thessaloniki's "Makedonia" airport has recorded consistent growth in passenger traffic, as a vital contributor to tourism and the economy in northern Greece. The airport has expanded its destination network, both seasonally and year-round, boosting the city's international profile.
Data comparing 2016, when Fraport Greece assumed management, with 2025 reveals a 64% increase in international passenger traffic, equating to an additional 2.1 million travellers. In 2025 alone, the airport handled 7.98 million passengers, an 8.2% increase from 2024 and well above the average 3% growth across the 14 regional airports operated by Fraport Greece. Of these, 5.44 million were on international routes, underlining the airport's role as a gateway for international travel.
International traffic at Thessaloniki airport grew by around 10% in 2025 compared to the previous year, marking the highest growth among all Fraport-managed airports in Greece. Overall, the 14 regional airports handled 37.1 million passengers in 2025.
Passenger data by nationality shows that eight of the airport's ten largest markets recorded growth in 2025. These included Germany (up 5.8%), the United Kingdom (2.7%), Cyprus (9.6%), Italy (8.3%), Poland (12.7%), the Netherlands (13.2%), Turkey (23.2%), and Israel (52.1%). Austria (down 1.3%) and Switzerland (down 1.1%) saw slight declines.
For the summer 2026 season, the airport is expanding its route network further, adding connections to two new countries, Egypt and Jordan, and welcoming three new airlines: Animawings, Finnair, and Royal Jordanian. Eight new routes are planned, including services linking Thessaloniki with Amman, Cairo, Bolzano, Dubrovnik, East Midlands, and several Romanian cities. Additional frequencies are also planned on ten existing routes, including services to Amsterdam, Bristol, Copenhagen, Düsseldorf, Helsinki, Istanbul, Prague, and London Gatwick.
The airport's recent growth has occurred despite disruptions, such as the loss of Russian-speaking markets following the war in Ukraine and the closure of two Greece-based carriers, Ellinair and Astra, which together accounted for around 700,000 passengers. According to the data, these losses were offset, and the airport has maintained a steady upward trend over the past five years.
Fraport Greece has introduced various incentives to support Thessaloniki's development as a year-round destination. These include a renewed discount programme for departing international passengers during low-demand months, aimed at reducing seasonality. The company also continues to offer financial incentives, including subsidies, to airlines to encourage the launch of new international routes during the winter months. This initiative builds on a programme first launched in 2018.
For two consecutive years, in 2024 and 2025, Thessaloniki airport was voted by airlines as one of the top five airports in Europe within the category handling 5-20 million passengers annually, as recognised by the Routes Awards.
