Air connections between Greece and China are on a sharp upward trajectory, with the latest addition being a new Athens–Chengdu route launched yesterday, Monday, June 30, by Sichuan Airlines. The flight includes a layover in Istanbul and marks another step in the growing connectivity between the two nations.
Weekly flights between Greece and China have quadrupled—from just three in 2019 to twelve projected for the summer of 2025. This increase reflects the strong rebound of Chinese outbound tourism to Greece and solidifies the country’s role as a key European destination for Chinese travelers.
The surge is the result of targeted partnerships, new flight routes, and consistently strong demand from Chinese tourists in recent years.
Tourist Arrivals on the Rise
In 2024 alone, Greece welcomed 138,600 Chinese visitors, a 30% rise compared to 2019. According to recent research by the European Travel Commission (ETC), 72% of Chinese respondents plan to visit Europe this summer—a 10% increase over the previous year—highlighting the post-pandemic recovery in demand.
Athens–Chengdu: A Strategic Connection
The new Athens–Chengdu route is one of several strategic air links expanding between Greece and China. At the official inauguration at Athens International Airport, Greek Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni, Yiannis Paraschis AIA Managing Director, representatives of the Chinese Embassy, and Sichuan Airlines executives were all present.
Minister Kefalogianni described the new route as a “bridge of culture and economy between East and West,” emphasizing China’s importance as an emerging and vital market for Greek tourism.
Paraschis highlighted that Greece–China air connectivity has reached record levels, now totaling 12 weekly flights: four to Beijing, four to Shanghai, and four to Chengdu. He also estimated that passenger traffic from China has soared by more than 140% compared to 2019.
