Despite the intensifying crisis in the Greek economy, AEGEAN carried during the first 9 months of the year 2,801,315 passengers on its international network.
Specifically, at its bases outside of Athens, AEGEAN carried on its international network 1,181,901 passengers, showing a 10% increase compared to the corresponding period of 2011, whereas the overall market was at 2011 levels. The greatest growth in passenger traffic for AEGEAN was for Corfu (52%) and Kos (+55%) from which the company showed increased activity towards new destinations. Compared to international traffic towards Athens, the company presented a better image than the overall market which dropped by 13%, with a 7% decrease while making special effort to maintain routes and frequencies from Athens.
The increase in international passenger traffic came mostly from the third quarter of 2012, due to AEGEAN?s significant investment in expanding its international network and its activity from Greek regional airports. The company?s presence in the main markets of Germany, France, Russia, Israel and Belgium was enhanced with flights from its bases in Greece (Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Herakleion, Corfu, Kos) as well as Larnaka, while in 2012 it launched flights to the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Ukraine and Georgia. We here remind that AEGEAN operates 139 routes in total, more than any other year, of which 116 are international routes and 23 domestic routes.
Mr. Dimitris Gerogiannis, AEGEAN?s Managing Director, stated: ?Despite the weakness and the uncertainties of the Greek economy, the significant cost of fuel, and the significant losses we sustain from these, we continue to implement our extrovert strategy and to support Greek tourism.? We also increase every year the number of bases in Greece, where we employ local staff and we fly to new destinations. We hope that the State will be able to ensure the stability of the climate which Greek tourism needs and to implement the structural changes that will allow both the quality and the competitive operation of airports. The directions announced the previous week are a step in the right direction and we hope to see them implemented”.? ? ? ? ??
AEGEAN Passenger Traffic January ? September 2012
| Passenger traffic | Jan-Sep 2011 | Jan ? Sep 2012 | % |
| Domestic | 2,384,234 | 2,073,664 | -13% |
| International to/from Athens | 1,748,132 | 1,619,414 | -7% |
| International to/from other bases | 1,075,267 | 1,181,901 | +10% |
| Total International | 2,823,399 | 2,801,315 | -1% |
| Total | 5,207,633 | 4,874,979 | -6% |
| Load factor | 68% | 72% | ? |
Source: Aegean Air