Heraklion Airport ended March 2025 with a sharp 36.22% drop in international passenger traffic compared to the same month last year. Only 13,275 passengers traveled on international flights, down from 20,813 in March 2024. With numbers like these, optimism may have left the terminal early.

Key Stats at a Glance

• 36.22% decrease in international passenger traffic year-over-year

• 13,275 international passengers handled (March 2025), down from 20,813

• 120 international flights operated (scheduled and charter)

• Just 25 charter flights, marking a quiet season for the segment

On the domestic side, operations were much more stable. A total of 886 flights served 69,490 arrivals and 68,525 departures, representing a 6.07% increase from March 2024, when arrivals stood at 65,511. Local travel seems to be holding its own.

Domestic Gains vs. International Strains

While domestic air travel showed steady growth, international operations painted a more somber picture. Foreign carriers operated just 120 flights, handling 10,368 arrivals and 6,108 departures—a clear sign of shrinking demand.

Among source countries, Germany topped the chart with 3,597 passengers, followed by France (2,448), UK (1,889), Netherlands (1,335), and Czechia (1,056). European travel is still alive, but clearly more subdued.

A Tale of Two Trends

Overall, Heraklion Airport handled 1,375 flights in March 2025, with 82,892 passengers arriving and 76,757 departing. The domestic uptick offered some encouragement, but the international downturn underscored ongoing challenges in attracting foreign travelers.

Greek airlines played a major role, operating 827 out of 886 domestic flights and carrying close to 65,000 passengers. It seems the “support local” sentiment may be extending to air travel too.

As Heraklion Airport navigates a shifting landscape, the contrasting fortunes of domestic and international traffic highlight both the resilience and vulnerability in its current recovery path.