Greece Joins Poland, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, and More in Making Off-Peak Travel Attractive with a Nine Point Eight Percent Surge in Airline Seat Capacity for 2026

In 2026, Greece is making a powerful move to capitalize on off-peak travel by joining an impressive list of countries—Poland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, and more—that are shifting their focus toward attracting visitors during traditionally quieter seasons. With a remarkable 9.8% surge in airline seat capacity, Greece is positioning itself as a prime destination for travelers seeking a more relaxed and affordable holiday experience. This significant increase in flight availability signals a commitment to boosting tourism beyond the peak summer months, offering visitors the chance to explore Greece’s rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cities without the overcrowding often associated with high season travel. With this strategic move, Greece is not just enhancing its appeal to off-peak travelers but also contributing to the broader trend of spreading tourism demand more evenly throughout the year.

Greece’s tourism strategy is evolving, with efforts focused on extending the traditional high-season travel period and promoting year-round tourism. This approach is becoming increasingly successful, as highlighted by the significant growth in airline seat capacity projected for the first quarter of 2026. According to the latest data released by the research arm of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), Greece is seeing notable advancements in attracting visitors during the winter and early spring months, with expectations for a marked rise in flight availability. This is seen as a major step in diversifying the tourism season and reducing the reliance on the summer peak period, which has long been the backbone of Greece’s tourism industry.

The latest findings from the AirData tracker of INSETE (Institute of Greek Tourism Research) show a clear upward trend in the airline seat capacity for Greece in the first quarter of 2026. Between January and March, seat availability is expected to increase by 9.8% compared to the same period in 2025. The total number of available seats is projected to reach an impressive 3,581,068, underscoring a growing demand for travel to Greece outside of the summer months. This growth signals that the country is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for those seeking to travel during the off-peak seasons, including the winter and early spring months.

One of the more notable developments in the data is the performance of February, which has traditionally been one of the weakest months for air traffic to Greece. In the past, February saw lower seat availability as many travelers favored visiting during the warmer months. However, February 2026 is set to see a considerable improvement in seat capacity. The number of available seats is expected to increase by 7.6% compared to February 2025, reaching a total of 1,056,651 seats. This indicates a shift in travel patterns, with more tourists choosing to visit Greece during the winter months. This growth in February, traditionally seen as a quiet period for tourism, is a positive sign of the country’s success in spreading out visitor demand across the year.

While traditional tourism markets such as Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom continue to represent the largest share of flight capacity, emerging markets are also showing impressive growth, further diversifying the sources of visitors to Greece. This diversification is a key component of Greece’s broader tourism strategy, which aims to tap into new markets and attract more international visitors beyond the well-established travel corridors.

Germany continues to be the largest source market for visitors to Greece. The number of airline seats available from Germany is expected to increase by 5.6%, reaching 482,975 seats in the first quarter of 2026, up from 457,402 seats in early 2025. Germany’s position as the leading source market reflects the country’s strong ties to Greece and its continued popularity as a tourist destination. Italy and the United Kingdom follow closely behind, with seat availability from Italy increasing by 6.8% and from the UK by 5.3%. These markets have long been reliable sources of visitors to Greece, and their growth, though moderate, reflects ongoing interest in the country as a travel destination.

In contrast to the more established markets, emerging markets are showing remarkable growth in flight capacity. Poland is leading this charge, with a staggering 51.6% increase in seat capacity compared to the same period in 2025. The number of available seats from Poland is set to rise to 128,735, up from 84,919 in early 2025. This sharp increase highlights the growing interest in Greece from Polish travelers, a trend that could have a significant long-term impact on the country’s tourism industry. Similarly, Spain has also seen strong growth, with a 25.7% rise in seat capacity, while France has recorded a 13% increase. Israel, another emerging market, has experienced an 11% increase in flight capacity. These gains reflect the expanding appeal of Greece to new international markets, contributing to the country’s strategy of broadening its tourism base.

The rise in airline seat capacity is not confined to Greece’s major international gateways. Regional airports across the country are also seeing significant increases in seat availability, signaling a geographical spread of winter tourism demand. While Athens International Airport (AIA) and Thessaloniki Airport continue to handle the largest shares of air traffic, regional airports are showing some of the highest growth rates in terms of seat capacity, indicating a shift toward more diverse tourism destinations across Greece.

Athens International Airport, as the primary gateway to Greece, is expected to accommodate the largest number of seats, with 2,940,452 seats scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, an 8.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Thessaloniki Airport is expected to handle 534,380 seats, marking a 5.4% increase. These two airports will continue to be the main hubs for international arrivals, but regional airports are experiencing even greater growth in capacity.

Heraklion, a popular airport in Crete, has recorded the highest growth rate among all Greek airports. The number of available seats at Heraklion is set to increase by an astonishing 219%. This growth suggests that Crete is becoming an increasingly popular destination for winter tourism. Similarly, Corfu Airport is expecting a 216.6% rise in seat availability, while Rhodes Airport also sees a 216% increase. Kos, another island destination, is projecting a 125.9% increase in seats. Smaller regional airports such as Kalamata and Zakynthos are also showing strong growth, with increases of 61.4% and 45.1%, respectively. These increases at regional airports reflect a broader trend of winter tourism spreading throughout Greece.

In 2026, Greece joins countries like Poland, the UK, Germany, and Spain, with a 9.8% increase in airline seat capacity to make off-peak travel more attractive. This surge aims to spread tourism demand throughout the year, offering visitors a chance to explore Greece’s beauty without the summer crowds.

Greece’s strategy to diversify its tourism offering and extend the travel season beyond the summer months is proving successful. The substantial rise in airline seat capacity in the first quarter of 2026, along with the increasing interest from emerging markets, indicates that Greece is successfully attracting tourists during the winter and early spring. The growth is not only concentrated at major airports but is also being reflected in regional airports, showcasing a shift toward more widespread tourism demand across the country.