These are the top international and domestic destinations for Christmas, according to AEGEAN.
Travel abroad, to the traditional Christmas destinations such as Vienna, Paris, Geneva as well as Krakow, Helsinki and Oslo is what Greeks are choosing for this festive season, as shown by data from AEGEAN, the largest Greek airline.
As ANA-MPA reports, the increased promotions of the previous period from the company and above all the need to get away boosted demand for flights both at Christmas, and at New Year, with load factors on most of the 145 routes in the AEGEAN network across 100 destinations exceeding 80%, 85% or in some cases even 90%, just 10 days before Christmas, heralding yet another major getaway.
Specifically, according to company data, traffic during the Christmas period is at higher levels compared with last year, which indicates the strong demand among Greeks for leisure travel even during the festive period.
AEGEAN has increased available seats for this festive period, about 5%, both on the domestic network, and on the international network and always compared with the same period in 2023, aiming to sustain the strong desire for travel that has been recorded over the past two years.
Load factors from 80% to 86% or in some cases 90%
A week before the Christmas holidays the load factors on the international network from the two largest AEGEAN bases, in Athens and Thessaloniki, show an increase compared with last year, with the rates ranging from 80% to 86% or in some cases 90% depending on the destination.
Indeed, according to the same data, Greeks prefer to travel during the Christmas period, since load factors for the New Year period appear slightly lower (from 78% to 83%).
Saturday 21 December shows the greatest momentum regarding the Christmas peak, with average load factors to and from Athens exceeding 85% and to and from Thessaloniki almost 90%.
Similarly, Saturday 28/12 and Sunday 29/12 record the highest average load factors to and from Athens (more than 80%) and to and from Thessaloniki (85%) for those who choose to welcome the new year away from their place of residence.
Top 5 international destinations
As in previous years, so this year too, the Greek traveling public prefers to travel abroad, mainly to the "traditional" Christmas destinations. The 5 top international destinations for Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025, according to AEGEAN bookings, are:
- From Athens: Lisbon, Geneva, Copenhagen, Vienna, Paris
- From Thessaloniki: Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich
Naturally, Greeks also continue to include destinations that are less "traditional", but certainly "wintry", such as Krakow, Helsinki, and Oslo. The above trend is also confirmed by bookings made through travel agencies.
With European capitals such as Vienna, London, Paris, Switzerland, as well as the major German cities included in the list of preferences of Greeks, while long haul destinations such as Vietnam, Japan, Cuba and Brazil also show particular interest.
Still, one can find last-minute opportunities in destinations such as, Istanbul, Naples, Rome, Amsterdam from Athens and Milan, Brussels, Amsterdam from Thessaloniki.
Top 5 domestic destinations
The 5 top domestic destinations for Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 are:
- From Athens: Heraklion, Alexandroupoli, Ioannina, Mytilene, Rhodes
- From Thessaloniki: Rhodes, Chania, Mytilene, Heraklion, Chios
Domestic travelers are already departing from Friday 20/12 and Saturday 21/12, days which show the greatest momentum with average load factors to and from Athens starting from 80%, while to and from Thessaloniki, Friday 20/12, Monday 23/12 and Tuesday 24/12 record average load factors above 90%.
Finally, it is noted that load factors on the domestic network from AEGEAN bases in Athens and Thessaloniki appear lower compared with those on the international network, with passenger traffic fueled to a large extent by students, but also professionals who work in a different place from their place of origin.
